In the middle third of the 20th century, many Cecil County towns had theaters. One of those enjoyable places was the “Cecil,” the Cecilton theatre, where nightly shows (except Sundays) were offered in air-conditioned comfort on a beautiful, wide-screen.
The theater had been built as a school, but the property became surplus property once the George Biddle High School, opened. So the School Board sold the structure to James D. and Catherine Stradley for $3,100 in 1944. After they remodeled and renovated the facility, one-half was converted into a hardware store and the other side become a movie house.1
Their work included installing 35-millimeter projectors, theatre seating, and air conditioning. In the Feb. 14, 1948, edition of the Cecil Democrat an advertisement said the “Cecil Threatre” with the finest in motion pictures and best in sound was opening very soon.2
The curtain went up for the inaugural screening on Monday, Feb. 23, 1948, as Black Gold entertained an excited audience from throughout the lower part of the county. After that, the marquee advertised first-run shows for moviegoers.
Robert Moore operated the hardware store and John Deere business on the other side. About 1961, the Gerhart family purchased the hardware business, along with the building from Mr. Stradley and the lights went out as the Cecilton Theatre closed.3
For Additional Photos of the Cecilton Theatre see this album on Facebook
Endnotes