Chronology

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1. Early twentieth century · 1900–1944

2. 1934
   Construction or physical change · R. A. Eubanks general store site, south side of East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill Robert A. Eubanks's old general store is torn down

   The store on the south side of East Franklin was razed. The new Carolina Theatre went up on the site in 1942.

3. 1942
   Construction or physical change · 108 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill The Carolina Theatre is built on East Franklin Street to a Williamsburg design by Archie Davis

   The new two-story brick theatre at 108 East Franklin Street, with a steep roof, dormers and brick pediments and arches, was the one building in the 100 block of East Franklin to follow the Williamsburg plan.

4. Civil rights era · 1945–1975

5. between 1974 and 1978
   Construction or physical change · Carolina Theatre, East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill The Carolina Theatre divides its auditorium and adds a second screen

   The East Franklin movie house split its viewing area in two to show two films at once.

6. Recent decades · 1976–2026

7. between 1989 and 1993
   Closing or ending · Carolina Theatre, East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill The Gap takes over the old Carolina Theatre on East Franklin Street

   The Carolina Theatre gave way to a large Gap clothing store, one of several long-standing East Franklin businesses replaced in these years. A new Carolina Theatre opened in the corner building at Franklin and Columbia by 1994.

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Compiled and maintained by the Friends of the Orange County Public Library from county records, the sources named on each card, and the index’s event pages. Last updated October 1, 2026.