jc1950jc1950 on February 3, 2020 at 12:03 pm (remove)
The DeSoto Theatre was opened on August 5th 1929 and was owned by Mr. O.C. Lam’s company the Lam Amusement Company. His offices were located on the 2nd floor above the theatres entrance. In early 1928, O. C. Lam, owner of Lam Amusement Company, laid plans to construct a new movie theater in Rome, Georgia, modeled after New York’s Roxy. It was the first venue in the South designed and built as a “talkie” for sound films. When the DeSoto opened in August 1929, it was one of the seven largest movie venues in Georgia. The theatre was opened with the same sound and projection system that was used in NY “Roxie” theatre. The system was an early “Vitaphone MovieTone System”. It was an instant success and the pride of Rome. The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation maintains and preserves this legacy for future generations.
Mr. O.C. Lam’s company owned and operated many Theatres (over 20) in 8 states throughout the years from 1929 up to the early 1980’s.
A huge heartfelt thank you! to Selna Tilly -Historian, Rome Area History Museum and the “The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation” for the afternoon tour of the “DeSoto Theatre” and several Theatre locations in the greater Rome, GA area. I was especially privileged to document the Theatre History of Rome, GA.and to received and was granted access to an inside view and tour of the Historic Desoto Theatre in Rome.
The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation( https://www.thedesoto.org/) is a non-profit organization established in 2008 to secure the future of the iconic 1929 theatre in downtown Rome.
They are committed to preserving the tradition and legacy that is the Jewel of Broad Street. It is there mission to usher in the movie house that introduced us to “talkies” into the age of “selfies” and social media.
In 2019, DeSoto Theatre celebrates 90 years of downtown entertainment, the only theatre left in Downtown Rome’s once-thriving arts district.
Please click on the tab “photos” to see 16 new photos posted Jan 2020 of the DeSoto Theatre’s new completed wonderful full restoration.
Historic DeSoto Theatre’s Main entrance hallway behind the main entrance doors which are behind the ticket booth.
jc1950jc1950 on February 3, 2020 at 12:03 pm (remove) The DeSoto Theatre was opened on August 5th 1929 and was owned by Mr. O.C. Lam’s company the Lam Amusement Company. His offices were located on the 2nd floor above the theatres entrance. In early 1928, O. C. Lam, owner of Lam Amusement Company, laid plans to construct a new movie theater in Rome, Georgia, modeled after New York’s Roxy. It was the first venue in the South designed and built as a “talkie” for sound films. When the DeSoto opened in August 1929, it was one of the seven largest movie venues in Georgia. The theatre was opened with the same sound and projection system that was used in NY “Roxie” theatre. The system was an early “Vitaphone MovieTone System”. It was an instant success and the pride of Rome. The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation maintains and preserves this legacy for future generations.
Mr. O.C. Lam’s company owned and operated many Theatres (over 20) in 8 states throughout the years from 1929 up to the early 1980’s.
A huge heartfelt thank you! to Selna Tilly -Historian, Rome Area History Museum and the “The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation” for the afternoon tour of the “DeSoto Theatre” and several Theatre locations in the greater Rome, GA area. I was especially privileged to document the Theatre History of Rome, GA.and to received and was granted access to an inside view and tour of the Historic Desoto Theatre in Rome.
The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation( https://www.thedesoto.org/) is a non-profit organization established in 2008 to secure the future of the iconic 1929 theatre in downtown Rome. They are committed to preserving the tradition and legacy that is the Jewel of Broad Street. It is there mission to usher in the movie house that introduced us to “talkies” into the age of “selfies” and social media. In 2019, DeSoto Theatre celebrates 90 years of downtown entertainment, the only theatre left in Downtown Rome’s once-thriving arts district.
Beautifully restored ornate ceiling decor just inside the main entrance of the DeSoto Theatre Rome,GA.
Pre-1935 this building was the home of the Levi Bank in Rutherfordton, NC.