Hargray Capitol Theatre facts for kids
The Capitol Theatre is a cool place for live shows and events in downtown Macon, Georgia, USA. You can find it at 382 Second Street.
Contents
A Look Back: The Theatre's Story
The building where the Capitol Theatre stands today has a long history! It was first built in 1897 as a bank called Commercial Savings and Loan. That bank didn't stay open for long.
In 1900, a company called Strong Shoe Company bought the building. They sold shoes there for 15 years. Then, in 1917, something exciting happened! The building was turned into a movie theater and opened its doors to everyone.
Guess what? In 1917, the Capitol Theatre was one of the very first public places to have air conditioning! Imagine how cool that was on a hot Georgia day.
The theatre closed in 1975 after 58 years of showing movies and hosting events. But it didn't stay closed forever! In 2006, it reopened as a place for both movies and live concerts. In 2013, a group called The Moonhanger Group started managing the theatre. They also own some popular restaurants in downtown Macon.
What's Happening Today
A person named Tony Long had a big idea for downtown Macon. He helped lead a project to fix up the theatre. They spent $1.2 million to make it look great again!
The Capitol Theatre reopened in 2006 as the Cox Capitol Theatre. Today, it's a busy place for live entertainment.
The theatre is a popular spot in Macon for:
- Concerts, from rock bands to big musical tours
- Showing movies, including old favorites and independent films
- Film festivals, where you can see many different movies
The theatre works hard to keep Macon's rock and roll music history alive. One of the biggest events held there is the Bragg Jam Music Festival. This festival brings in bands from all over the country and also supports local artists.
Renting the Theatre
Did you know you can rent the Capitol Theatre for your own events? It's a great spot for parties, fundraisers, or other gatherings.
The main floor of the Capitol Theatre is open, which means you can arrange it however you like. Upstairs, there's a balcony with seats for 297 people. In total, the theatre can hold up to 650 people!
Important Dates for the Theatre
Here are some key moments in the Capitol Theatre's history:
- August 1927: The theatre got an $8,000 permit for repairs.
- October 1930: The Capitol Theatre became the top place in Macon to see new movies. This happened after another theatre, the Rialto, closed.
- May 1946: The Capitol got some cool updates! It added air conditioning and new snack bars for candy and popcorn.
- April 2006: Cox Communications gave $300,000 to help build a new lighted sign for the theatre. This new sign looks just like the original one from 1916!
- 2013: The Moonhanger Group started managing the theatre's operations.
