History:
In 1929, local businessman Kirby Cox started construction on the Sunset Theater. The Theater opened on March 6, 1930. This was the first structure built in Asheboro for the sole purpose of showing movies. It was built in the Spanish style that was very popular in Hollywood at that time, with beamed ceilings, stucco walls and an awning with a tile roof. A marquee was added in the early 1930's. A second marquee replace the first in the early 1940's. The theater continued as a first run facility until the early 1970's. It then turned into a 2nd Run theater and was named "The Flick" for a short time before being renamed the Sunset Theater.
The facility was shut down as a movie theater in 1981. Area Developer Jeff Schwarz purchased the facility in 1983 and rented the building out for a variety of events including concerts and church services. In 2000, the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center purchased the facility. This group made an effort to run the facility as a performing arts center. The City of Asheboro purchased the facility in December of 2005. The facility is now operated by Asheboro Parks and Recreation.
