THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The former Cinema & Drafthouse in West Hazleton, originally opened in 1915 as the Hersker Theater, is associated with paranormal activity reportedly concentrated around the concession stand, projection room and basement. The building was investigated by Ghost Detectives for Season 1, Episode 6, documenting its longstanding reputation for unexplained activity. The historic theater permanently closed in September 2025. (Submission by Brent)
The historic theater at 31 W Broad Street in West Hazleton opened in 1915 as the Hersker Theater. Over its long history it operated under several names, including the Key Theatre, before eventually becoming the Cinema & Drafthouse, a single-screen theater where patrons could eat and drink while watching films. The Cinema & Drafthouse permanently closed on September 14, 2025. Paranormal claims associated with the building focus particularly on the former concession area, projection room and basement. The location attracted the attention of the Pennsylvania paranormal television series Ghost Detectives, which investigated the theater for Season 1, Episode 6. The reported haunting remains part of local paranormal lore surrounding the century-old theater.