Park Theatre
305 N. Union Street,
Wilmington,
DE
19805
305 N. Union Street,
Wilmington,
DE
19805
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The Park Theatre launched September 23, 1920 with “Eyes of the World”. For decades, the theatre was run by Joseph A. DeFiore. DeFiore had begun his movie career as a projectionist in Philadelphia at age 11 before moving to Trenton to become an assistant manager of a theatre there at age 13. Finally, at age 15, DeFiore became a theatre owner purchasing the Trenton Opera House.
Following service in World War I, DeFiore would move to Wilmington and eventually purchase the Park Theatre figuring the neighborhood theater would have longevity because of free parking that downtown theaters didn’t have. He became the President of the Independent Theatre Owners Association. In 1951, DeFiore - who had also operated the Broadway Theatre and Strand Theatre - said television forced him to operate just four days a week at the Park Theatre.
After DeFoire’s departure, the Park Theatre closed during Labor Day Weekend on September 3, 1967 with a double feature of “Hurry Sundown” and “Easy Come Easy Go”. The 47-year old theatre was transformed into a church which began regular services in 1968. It was demolished in 1999.
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
Correction: The Park Theatre closed on November 25, 1967 showings of “The Cool Ones” and “Up the Down Staircase.” The December 1, 1967 ad said “closed due to storm” and did not re-open until becoming a church the following spring of 1968.
The Park was demolished in 1999.
This was my family’s theater. Can you tell me where you found some of this information and pictures? I was not aware of some of it. Thank you.