Palace Theatre

Story in the LA Times today about Stu Rasmussen, manager of the Palace and new mayor of Silverton. He is now a woman, the first transgender mayor in the US. He notes in the article that the theater is losing money.

The Palace re-opens with a GRAND opening celebation September 14. In addition to burning the lobby, the smoke ravaged the entire building, This required removal of all seats, drapes, wall coverings, wood, carpeting etc. New digital & 3D equipment also damaged. Using local craftsmen and A.C.E. (American Cinema Equipment) as supplier, the restoration has gone from bare concrete walls and floors, only roof supports and no lobby to a fully-restored and re-created movie theatre 76 years of age. Digital HD projection and digital sound and a new 40-foot screen guarantee fully contemporary presentations. Silverton simply would not let the Palace die! —– Roger Paulson, co-owner Palace Theatre Inc.

Hey Mikeyisirish & all…. the Palace did have a spectacular sign until the mid-50s. It was huge and said Palace in a script font in neon all across the upper front face. The neon was subject to direct exposure by the weather and was frequently damaged. After being removed, it was never replaced. You can see a 1940s photo of that sign on display outside the theatre currently. Those photo frames are due to be updated. On the Silverton DVD you can see a very brief clip of original owner Al Adams proudly raising his hat to the theatre, on which is that neon sign. Until the late 50s, the sidewalk in front of the theatre, were two link-style mats stretched wall to all. PALACE was woven into the tread both left and right. Currently we have no plans to add an actual theatre sign. One way streets both face away from the building. However, we hope to be able to completely re-light the entire marquee reader board this year. It was disconnected in the early 60s due to water damage. It had fully-illuminated the entire front and side panels. You could see the light or its reflection from several blocks away. Roger Paulson

What is the pipe organ supposedly now in the Palace Theatre in Silverton?

The theatre originally had a two-manual, four-rank Robert-Morton organ, which was later sold to the late Mr. Dale Haskin of Portland, who had it in storage with many other organs. He passed away in 2009 and his organ collection was reportedly “dispersed” to local theatre organ society members. I wonder if this organ went back to the theatre? If not, it should! Robert Mortons are great organs!

http://pstos.org/instruments/or/silverton/palace.htm

http://pstos.org/instruments/or/portland/haskin.htm

Purchased in May 2023:

Silverton, OR: Palace Theatre Purchased, Opening Soon [May 12, 2023]