History of Theatres of Tower City to 1968

A black & white photograph taken about March 1906 (recently colorized) of the P. O. S. of A. Opera House, Tower City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The photo is dated by the sign for a performance of “A Foxy Tramp,” which occurred on April 5, 1906, according to a notice in the West Schuylkill Herald of March 30, 1906.

A theatre history of Tower City was provided in the Centennial History of Tower City and Porter Township, 1868-1968. Unfortunately, no dates were given for the events in the history or the transfers from one proprietor to another.

Our early inhabitants made their own entertainment and of necessity most of it was of the self-participating kind.  But they liked to be entertained by bands, orchestras and occasional medicine shows.  As time went on, entertainment of the non-participating kind became necessary.  Plays and musicals with local talent were enacted in churches and taverns, but as the population increased traveling troupes frequently performed plays and minstrels in whatever space was available.

With the increase in population it was evident that the entertainment of spectators demanded a suitable place for local and itinerant performances and the first theatre resulted.  This first theatre was erected by the P. O. S. of A. at 332-334 Grand Avenue, and was known as the Opera House.  Plays, concerts, and minstrel shows with local talent as performers were produced here, but the principal entertainment was provided by traveling professionals who sometimes rented the the building for such periods of time as its repertoire permitted.

In the early 20th century, Walter J. Henry opened a “Nickelette” at 231 E. Grand Avenue for the showing of stereoscopic slides and the first movies or “flickers.”  The name was derived from the admission price – one nickel.  The seating capacity was limited and Mr. Henry then rented the Opera House, but business so increased that remodeling was necessary to accommodate the crowds.  Some years later he constructed a building on the site of the present post office, and used the first floor for movies, plays and concerts while in the basement George Hess operated a pool hall and the second floor became a shirt factory.  This building he called the Star Theatre.  His daughter Stella Henry, was long the pianist and Arthur J. Hoffman, the projectionist.  Many years later he leased the theatre to H. Grant Schoffsall who operated it for several years until the building was purchased by Dr. David Hawk and H. A. Evans.  They in turn sold to Doris Refowich of Pottsville, who also purchased the old P. O. S. of A. Opera House which she razed because of its dilapidated and unsafe condition.  She engaged James Hobbs as manager who served in that capacity until shows were discontinued because of competition from television and outdoor theatres.

Edward Wagner operated the movie theater in the Opera House after Mr. Henry vacated.  He renamed it the “Pastime Theatre” and continued in business until shortly before his death.

A movie house was operated by Mr. T. J. Berney in Reinerton before succumbing to the competition of the larger Opera House and Star Theatre.

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Photo and text from the Centennial History of Tower City and Porter Township, 1868-1968 published in 1968.

Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.