Q: The Holly Theater in Dahlonega sounds like it was meant for the holiday season. What’s the history and meaning behind the theater’s name?
A: The Holly Theater's name has no connection to the holiday season, but the theater community still loves celebrating Christmas in Dahlonega's restored cinema.
After the end of World War II, Randall Holly Brannon, who in 1939 had opened a movie theater in Dahlonega’s Price Building, sought to build a standalone movie house just off the square on West Main Street.
Construction of the theater started in 1947, but the doors did not officially open until July 12, 1948, with the showing of “The Bride Goes Wild,” said Hal Williams, chairman of the Holly Theater Board of Directors. Despite having already collected all the needed materials, Brannon was told by the rationing board to stop construction. Brannon then wrote a letter to Congress to get approval for the new building.
“We like to say that we are the only building in Georgia that was built by an act of Congress,” Williams said.
Williams moved to Dahlonega to attend the University of North Georgia in the 1960s and would go to the Holly Theater downtown to see movies with friends. At the time, Williams said, it was the only entertainment downtown. However, attendance declined over the years, and the cinema officially closed in November 1979.
Over the next decade, small groups would rent the building for events, but it remained largely in disuse and growing disrepair.
By 1990, Williams had become chairman of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber and Visitors Bureau. After talking to a friend about ways to increase tourism, Williams began a campaign to reopen the Holly Theater.
“I told him it’s a shame we don’t have something that would bring people to Dahlonega and keep them overnight,” Williams said.
And so, a meeting was called to return the Holly Theater to its former glory. All restoration work was done by volunteers, and financed through fundraising campaigns and grants. On Nov. 6, 1993, the newly functional Holly Theater building reopened to the concert “Mountain Music Night.”
Today, the Holly Theater is more of a playhouse than cinema, with concerts and plays throughout the year. To celebrate the 2017 holiday season as part of Dahlonega's Old Fashioned Christmas, performances of "Christmas Belles" continue at the Holly Theatre on Dec. 8-10 and Dec. 15-17.
On Nov. 24, the city kicked off its 34th annual Old Fashioned Christmas monthlong holiday celebration, with the lighting of the historic square. The festivities, such as visits with Santa, musical performances and extended store hours, continue through Dec. 23.
If you’re new in town or have questions about this special place we call home, ask us! E-mail q&a@ajc.com or call 404-222-2002.
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