The Capitol Theatre - Greater Hazleton Historical Society

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The Capitol Theatre was once part of Hazleton’s urban landscape. The Capitol opened in September 1926, and was the city’s largest entertainment venue with 2,389 seats. The large five-story building had multiple storefronts facing Broad Street. The exterior was constructed with light tan brick and had a large marquee. The auditorium had a beautiful balcony railing and large painted murals on the side walls. Many famous actors and actresses performed at the Capitol, including Fred Astaire, George Burns, Gracie Allen, and Milton Berle. The theater switched to an all “talkie” policy in the 1930s and remained a very popular place to watch films. By the early 1950s, the advent of television precipitated its decline and the theater officially closed in 1963. The building lived on, with the lobby converted into storefronts and an extended furniture store. Tragically, the Capitol was destroyed by fire in the mid-1980s and a one-floor office building now occupies the property.