Paramount Theatre (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Paramount Theater Building
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
The Paramount Theatre marquee in Cedar Rapids
|
|
 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 123 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Peacock and Frank |
| Part of | Cedar Rapids Central Business District Commercial Historic District (ID15000757) |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000778 |
| Added to NRHP | August 26, 1976 |
The Paramount Theatre is a large theater located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It has 1,693 seats, making it a great place for many people to enjoy shows. This special building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of history.
The theater is a wonderful example of a "movie palace" from the 1920s. These were grand theaters that showed movies and live shows like vaudeville. Sadly, the Paramount was damaged by a big flood in June 2008, which covered much of downtown Cedar Rapids.
Today, the Paramount Theatre is home to Orchestra Iowa and the Cedar Rapids Area Theater Organ Society. It also hosts many community concerts. One of its most famous features is its restored Wurlitzer theater organ. This amazing organ could even be lifted up from under the stage when it was played!
Contents
A Look Back: Early History
The Paramount Theatre first opened its doors on September 1, 1928. Back then, it was known as the Capitol Theater. In its first year, it was a very busy place! It hosted all sorts of live entertainment.
People could watch comedians, singers, dancers, and acrobats. They also showed movies and had audience sing-alongs. The theater's "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ was a huge part of the fun. It provided music for many of the shows.
In 1929, a company called Paramount Pictures bought the theater. That's when it got its current name, the Paramount Theatre.
The theater was designed to look like a grand palace. It even had a "Hall of Mirrors" that looked like the famous one at the Palace of Versailles in France. The theater was filled with expensive oil paintings, statues, and fancy furniture. However, most of these special items were removed in the 1950s.
Bringing it Back to Life: 1970s Restoration
The theater's website says that the Paramount was given to the city of Cedar Rapids in December 1975. A group of 15 people was formed to decide what to do with it. They decided that the theater should be restored to look like it did when it first opened.
To pay for this big project, the committee started a fundraising campaign. They raised $400,000 from businesses and individuals. This money was equal to about $1.75 million in 2008. No tax money was used for this restoration.
Modern Updates: 2000s Renovation
Another big renovation project started in 2001. This time, they raised even more money, about $7.8 million. This was around $9.5 million in 2008. A major part of the funding came from a special grant from the State of Iowa for culture and tourism.
The renovation took place in 2003. It added a new 57-foot wing space next to the stage. It also included a reception hall for events. The theater got much better heating and cooling systems and updated electrical and fire safety systems.
During this renovation, the seat covers, restrooms, and carpeting were all repaired or replaced. After the 2003 updates, the main floor of the theater could seat 1126 people. The balcony could hold 787 people. The theater even kept a special autograph book. This book had signatures from all the famous performers who had appeared on its stages.
The Great Flood of 2008
The Paramount Theatre faced a huge challenge during the Iowa flood of 2008. This epic flood began early on Wednesday, June 11, 2008. The Cedar River rose very high and overflowed its banks.
On Friday, June 13, 2008, the flood waters reached a record height of 32 feet. Most of downtown Cedar Rapids was covered in a mix of garbage and river water. The Paramount Theatre was also submerged.
The flood caused a lot of damage. The console, lift, and blower of the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ were all destroyed. Plans were made to restore the Paramount Theatre, and this work was scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2012.
See also
- Theatre Cedar Rapids
- Movie palaces list
