Lakeland Theatre in Littleton

Posted: 04.01.2025 | Updated: 03.24.2025

The Lakeland Theatre outside Charlotte is a well-known attraction to Littleton locals. Found in the heart of downtown Littleton, this theatre has been a cultural cornerstone for the community for more than forty years, treating residents with talented performances. 

Strangely enough, this cherished theatre is as beloved by the dead as it is by the living. It holds a small troupe of ghosts within its thespian walls, many of whom were enamored with the theatre whilst alive. Read on to peek behind the curtain of this community theatre and understand why these spirits linger on within the Lakeland Cultural Arts Center.

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Is the Lakeland Theatre Haunted? 

Ask the staff and volunteers at the Lakeland Theatre if this decades-old performance center is haunted, and many will inform you it is—and not just because of its relative proximity to the Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum in historic Littleton. No one seems to mind its ghosts, though, as these spirits are of the friendly variety. 

All its ghosts are admirers of drama, with its assortment of specters including the former founder, Mark Taylor, a past costume designer, and other various phantoms who like to drop in now and again for a show. 

The Dramatic History of the Lakeland Theatre

Lakeland Theatre’s humble beginnings started in 1977. Founder Mark E. Taylor and additional investors obtained the land on which the former Littleton High School sat in 1977. The Lakeland Cultural Arts Center Board of Directors would be instituted here in 1978.

The theatre’s beginnings were modest. From 1978 to 1982, a few stage performances occurred within the previous school’s auditorium and on its stage. Growth, however, was on the horizon.

The State of North Carolina allocated $25,000 in 1981 to revamp the old building. Expansion continued over the decade under the guidance of Executive Director Mark E. Taylor. But, after Taylor’s passing in 1990, the theatre experienced a series of setbacks.

To address these issues, new talent was brought in to revitalize the theatre, bringing fresh business acumen to the project. Money was soon raised for repairs to the building, and the theatre found a new managing director in 1997. Wally Hurst was brought in from California with a theatre background stretching back to his days at Duke University. Soon, the Lakeland Cultural Arts Center was once again on the road to triumph.

They tackled numerous pain points, from leaks to damaged floors, finally lending the theatre the much-needed fixes it deserved to bring its productions to a new level. Theatre acoustics were also addressed, and the sound system was updated with new components. 

The transformation was comprehensive: the ceiling was replaced, seating was updated, walls were refinished, and an orchestra bit was constructed. Taylor’s vision was kept at the forefront of the project along the way, crafting a theater that would be a worthy tribute to its founder.

Spectral Theatregoers and Ghostly Helpers

Over the years, staff have experienced strange occurrences and unexplained sights within this beloved theatre. Audio and visual technician Megan Keim has seen several peculiar happenings within the empty theatre. 

While working within the soundbox that peers over the stage late into the night hours, she has spied a vapor-like shape drifting through the empty theatre seats. On occasion, the foggy form seemed to solidify, taking on a more person-like shape, albeit still transparent. 

This is not all that Megan has observed in her time in the theatre. Amid productions, she has noticed strange entities forming in some of the theatre’s open seats. The apparitions form for a few passing minutes before vanishing as if evaporating into the air. 

Are these former theatre patrons just dropping in to catch a show? Quite possibly. However, these harmless specters inspire no fear in the staff or other theatre guests. It is likely they were admirers of the theatre over the years and, having passed on, wish to return to their favorite haunts occasionally.

Another spirit has garnered the name Maggie. Believed to be from the same era as Taylor, Maggie is a spirit marked by care and attentiveness. She said that she was a costume designer during her life and attended to her work with extreme devotion and care.

Many think she poured so much of her soul into her work that a piece of her was imprinted within the costumes she created and within the theatre itself. This diligent spirit tends to the costume department and puts away garments to ensure they are not forgotten. Others claim she sometimes takes it upon herself to do last-minute alterations, fixing costumes just before a performance as needed. 

The Dynamic Vision of Mark E. Taylor

While some labeled Mark E. Taylor’s dream of converting a dilapidated high school into a theatre unrealistic, it would not exist today without such passion. He had a steadfast commitment to transforming the forgotten building that once housed Littleton High School into a center for culture. 

Taylor was a man with an unfaltering vision. He looked at an abandoned building and saw beyond its crumbling walls, faulty roof, and ghostly halls devoid of life. Instead, this visionary saw a facility for community and drama. 

And so the Lakeland Theatre rose as a phoenix from the ashes of this former school, charming all with its energetic performances and events. It’s no wonder Taylor hasn’t been able to let go of his passion project entirely. 

All in all, Taylor is the most celebrated specter haunting this 305-seat theatre. Some have sighted his apparition garbed in clothes a little too refined for Littleton. Others have smelled his cologne wafting through the air. 

Why does his spirit linger on? He likely continues to watch over his beloved theatre and community hub, enjoying the performances and patrons’ glee as they react. Perhaps he also keeps a watchful eye on the building, ensuring no changes are made that wouldn’t fit with his original vision for this social epicenter. 

Haunted Charlotte

Today, the Lakeland Cultural Arts Center continues to uphold the ambition of its founder, aiming to enrich the lives of Littleton residents and those in the surrounding area. 

This nonprofit organization continues to rely heavily on the support of its community, ensuring decades more of stunning performances and vibrant events with their attendance and participation.

The spectacular venue is located at 411 Mosby Avenue in Littleton, only a few hours southwest of Charlotte. However, it is now known as The Acorn Center. 

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Keep reading on our blog to discover more haunted places in Charlotte, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok for more spooky and curious content. 

Sources:

• https://www.ourstate.com/a-locals-guide-to-downtown-littleton
• https://www.lakelandcac.org/history
• http://www.lakelandartscenter.org/history.htm
• https://www.lakegastongazette-observer.com/news/article_8450263a-a09f-11e8-bcf3-1f4fea6c7bef.html
• https://www.visithalifax.com/listing/ac4D/the-acorn-center
• https://queencityghosts.com/the-haunted-lakeland-theatre