Palace Theater
206 N. Main Street,
Childress,
TX
79201
206 N. Main Street,
Childress,
TX
79201
2 people
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Showing 26 - 47 of 47 comments
Good things are happening to The Palace. Seven fundraisers are scheduled for 2010. Bids are being taken for the refurbishing of the Art Deco facade of the actual Palace, with plans to later reconstruct the facades of the Palace Barber Shop to the north of The Palace and the news stand joining The Palace on the south, according to the color 1941 photo posted by “ken mc”, above, on 3-26-09. The news stand was incorporated into the theater as a concession stand, probably in the 1940’s, serving movie goers until it closed in the mid-90’s. The Palace has been a Texas Historical Commission ‘designated historic landmark’ since 2005.
This link shows a photo and story of a 2008 fundraiser campaign where the grand prize was a 1957 Chevy.
http://www.texas-ins.com/1957Chev/
I had emailed Lou Dobbs over a year ago and never got a response. I am a fan of his and had hoped to get at least an encouragement from him but I know he is a busy man and it has been over 50 years since his family moved from here. Perhaps in the future he will be contacted again and have some interest in what we are trying to do. I am sure someone in his position has to filter carefully any correspondence he might receive.
creed: Yes, a step forward and congratulations! I never heard from Lou Dobbs and his hometown theatre. Perhaps you have some information you could share?
I would like to give you a short update on the old Palace. There will be a lighting ceremony for the newly restored “Palace” sign April 9th 2010. It is a beautiful sign complete with all new neon and new paint. We will close off the block from traffic for the evening and will have musical entertainment and refreshments. We will also try to spark a little nostalgia by displaying classic cars from bygone eras as well as vintage bikes parked in front of the theater just like when we were kids. At dark we will flip the switch and take a big step toward restoring the Palace and one day be open for business. It is just a step but it is a step forward.
I went on Lou’s website and have sent him an email so will keep CT posted.
If someone wants to give me Lou’s email address, I’ll gladly write the letter!
Here is a vintage photo:
http://tinyurl.com/czjptf
The committee should write him a letter.
Which one of these is “Yup” addressing?
Lou Dobbs is the Lou Dobbs from CNN, OR
Lou Dobbs has been approached.
Thanks.
Lou Dobbs from CNN?
Has anyone approached Lou Dobbs for help? He was born in Childress and moved away when he was 12 years old. Maybe he has fond memories of the Palace and would like to help.
Who knows why a reporter from the 1930’s era of sensationalism, who probably did not see the ruins personally, would use the word “razed”? The Childress Index did not report that The Palace was razed. The walls of The Palace are original—the firewalls on the north and south probably prevented the spread of the fire to the adjoining buildings on the block. Photographs show that the interior was gutted. The west wall, which is the front entry, is original, as are the front portico, the marquee & the vertical Palace sign. According to historical records & photographs, the original Palace was rebuilt and improved and reopened 2-27-37 by Mable Phipps & Rufus Layton.
The Palace was completely destroyed by the 1936 fire you mention. It was rebuilt at a cost of $50,000 and reopened February 27, 1937. As I mentioned in my comments above, dated November 12, 2007, this was the second fire in The Palace’s history. The first fire was in 1934. The facts are not distorted by the Abilene newspaper. I’m surprised it was reported in that paper since Abilene is 150 miles south of Childress. The City News Stand, which was at some later time converted to the Palace concession stand, joined the Palace on the south, and the Palace Barber Shop was immediately on the north. Both properties are part of our restoration plans. Last spring the Palace Restoration Committee of Childress Theatre Company was able to have a large opening on the back of the building (an old evaporative a/c system) sealed and had repairs done to the roof—sealing out such varmints as bats, birds & Africanized bees! However, a severe storm (hail/straight winds/tornado) on Father’s Day damaged the repairs to the roof. As funds and the weather allow, we hope to have the roof repaired again soon.
Good question. There’s no indication that there was a second Palace in Childress, so perhaps the walls stayed up and they rebuilt.
Here is an article from the Abilene Daily Reporter dated 9/9/36:
CHILDRESS THEATER RAZED BY BLAZE
CHILDRESS, Sept. 9.â€"The Palace theater building was razed today in an early-morning fire, the loss approaching $60,000. The theater, the City News Stand and the Palace Barber shop were damaged. It had not been determined what caused the fire, which was discovered at 4:30 a.m. When firemen arrived, the building was a mass of flames inside and it took three hours to bring it under control.
It is great to see the photo posted by Lost Memory and to know people are watching the Palace. Restoration efforts are progressing, with estimated costs around $2 million to bring her back to her 1930’s Art Deco glory. Grant applications are underway, and major local projects include a drawing on New Year’s Eve for a 1957 Chevy, with only 1,200 tickets available at $100 donation per ticket. It seems the community has awakened to the treasure sitting silently on the brick Main Street of downtown Childress.
We appreciate the positive press regarding the Palace. Our restoration group is looking forward to her future as the beginning step to refurbishing Main Street in Childress. F.M. Phipps, who came to Childress in 1911, purchased the LaGrande Opera House and the Monogram Theater. The Palace was only one of at least six different cinema theaters owned between 1911 and 1988 by Mr. Phipps, his wife Mable, his partner G.S. Layton, and his son Rufus Layton, and after their deaths by extended family members of Mable Phipps. Mr. Phipps & Mr. Layton both died in the 1930’s, and the business was carried on by Mrs. Phipps and Rufus Layton, and later by Mrs. Phipps' relatives. Gene Autry performed on the stage of The Palace in 1938, confirmed in the April 18, 1938 issue of The Childress Index.
A December 1984 photo of the Palace Theater during happier times.
www.flickr.com/photos/lastpictureshow/2255933577
And a coming attractions poster from October 1987 courtesy of Billy Smith.
www.flickr.com/photos/lastpictureshow/2255933575
The original & current address is 206 Main Street. 210 Main was the address of the Palace Barber Shop on the north side of the Palace box office portico. On the south side of the box office was the Palace News Stand. Both of these were part of the orginal architecture. The newstand was later converted to a concession stand. Childress Theatre Company, a nonprofit corporation, has undertaken the restoration and preservation of The Palace, first acquiring historic designation by the Texas Historical Commission in
2006. The “Palace Partners” committee of Childress Theatre Company, headed by Carter Reed, is currently seeking grants in an effort to bring the grand old theater back to her original Art Deco elegance. She is a resiliant lady, having been built in 1926, burning and being rebuilt in 1934, and burning again in 1935. She was magnificently rebuilt, designated to show first run major films, and reopened February 27, 1937, to the applause of Hollywood’s greats—Olivia DeHaviland, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Pat O'Brian, Al Jolson, Ruby Keeler and more, according to the February 28, 1937, issue of The Childress Index.
Operating dates 1921 to 1993 per this link. Includes photo:
View link
Street number is 210, but I can’t remember what street it was on.