Legend

In 1923, the city of Durham chose to construct an auditorium on a small lot in the center of town. Over the next 4 years the building was designed and built; opening in March of 1927. The new Carolina Theatre would become a local hot spot, a new lavish theatre that would host both performances and movies for generations.

But throughout the changing times, The Carolina Theatre struggled to appeal to the newer generations. After over 50 years of entertainment they closed in November 1978. From that point forward teenagers would use the abandoned theatre as the hangout spot, drinking and playing with the old props. That is when tragedy struck.

On the night of November 13, 1980, a fire started in the back of the theatre. While nothing official is on record, rumors stated that a young girl who had been drinking go caught on one of the balconies. She wasn’t able to escape and was burned alive. As firefighters arrived, they apparently heard her scream echoing throughout the building. While the fire was put out and the building saved, the young girl wasn’t.

The young woman is still seen by visitors today, who say a woman in white stands up-top the balcony. She doesn’t speak, but just stands and stares. Other say the figure isn’t a woman, but a man whose name was Fred. He is believed to be the spirit of a construction worker who fell to his death in 1926 while constructing the Carolina Theatre. Fred is also responsible for the frequent flickering of lights throughout the theatre, a common complaint of the old actors who performed there.

If you are down in the area, you should stop by and see a performance. If you look up, you never know who you will see. Just don’t be the last one to leave…