“Rock Hill gets a modern movie theatre on Oakland Avenue.” The RH Herald reported on Sept. 11, 1940 – “Rock Hill’s new motion picture, the Pix, will open on Oct. 1st, Bob Bryant announced today. The New York architect, Ben Schlanger, will be present. It was built by Hardiway Construction Co., and is said to be the most modern in the South.”
City Directories and History: 1906 – John R. Barron, Mrs. C.L. Barron, Ms. Beulah Barron, Bessie Barron, Maud Barron, Roy Barron, 1908 – J.R. Barron, 1913 – Ms. Maude Barron – student, 1917 – John R. Barron, 1922/23 – Same, 1936 – Edward Neely, Amarilla Neely Boarding House, 1946 – Pix Theatre, 1963 – Pix Theatre
The Herald reported on May 27, 1896 – “Mr. John R. Barron has purchased a lot on the corner of Oakland and Wilson Streets, the old baseball grounds. He is contemplating building a home at a early date.” On July 29 the Herald reported, “work on the foundation on the dwelling of John R. Barron will begin this week. He hopes to have the house completed by the middle of November. It will have twelve rooms and is on the south corner of Oakland and Wilson, opposite the lot of W.J. Roddey.”
The Herald reported on Dec. 16, 1896 – “The John R. Barron residence in Oakland is being painted.”
The RH Herald reported on Jan. 20, 1900 – “Mr. Barron, Pres. of the Manchester Cotton Mill in Rock Hill, visited Kershaw the past week looking for a new site for a cotton mill which his company proposes to located somewhere on the SC and G Line. We understand he proposes taking half the stock if the citizens of Kershaw will raise the other half. The businessmen of Kershaw have met and appointed two committees one to negotiate for a site including: J.T. Gregory, S.W. Heath, J.M. Carson, and R.L.____. The second committee to solicit subscriptions is: S.W. Heath, W.K. Williams, J.T. Stevens, E.D. Blakney and R.L. Blackmon. ”
Mr. John R. Barron informs us on Feb. 21st, “that he has secured all the stock for the erection of a cotton mill in Kershaw. It will be capitalized at $125,000. and construction will start soon.” The Herald reported on March 31, 1900 – “A few weeks ago Mr. J.R. Barron withdrew from the proposed cotton mill company in Kershaw. He has now decided to erect a new mill in Rock Hill.
The Rock Hill Herald reported on March 9, 1916 – “Ed Wallace was awarded the contract for the erection of a residence for John R. Barron on Oakland Avenue. The home will have seven rooms.” (This was potentially a remodeling of the Victorian home.)
The Pix Theatre was constructed on this corner by Bob Bryant in circa 1949. The theater replaced the historic J.R. Barron home which was also one of the most prestigious of the grand Queen Anne homes having been constructed on the four corners of the intersection. The home was heavily remodeled in the early 20th century with large columns and porches but the original substructure remained intact.
The Herald reported on Sept. 21, 1939 – “That a new ultra-modern motion picture theater will be built in the near future on the site now occupied by the John R. Barron home at the corner of Oakland and Wilson, it was learned today from Robert E. Bryant, Rock Hill theater operator. The Barron home is now occupied by the Magnolia Inn but will be vacated with ten days and then demolished. Ben Schlanger, eminent NY architect, has been hired. The theater will be similar to the Normandie Theatre at Park Avenue and 53rd.
The Herald reported on Oct. 1., 1940 – “The Pix Theater had its formal opening yesterday. Several thousand visitors toured the theater during the afternoon and evening. The first movie was shown today – My Love Come Back, with Jeffrey Lynn and Olivia deHaviland. The next feature was the Gold Flesasing with Lew Ayers. The new theatre represents an investment of $75,000. and was constructed by Hardaway Co. Company of Columbus, Georgia.
Street in New York City. It represents an investment of $75,000. and will seat about 700 people, including 200 in a mezzanine balcony, and will be air conditioned. Mr. Bryant went to New York recently to consult with Mr. Schlanger. He also operates the Capitol Theater.”
In 1915-16 the McElwee Ledger listed J.L. Barron as an account holder.
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