The Arcade Theatre and Miller Building, the Paramount and the Weber Building
822 Ryan Street to 840 Ryan Street
Four important landmarks once stood here, part of an unbroken line of buildings from Railroad Avenue to Clarence Street.
The Weber Building housed professional offices and was the center of Western Union communications for this region. The offices were part of the regionally based Kelly Weber companies, which included lumber, wholesale trade, agriculture, and even maritime shipping. The six story tower was demolished for parking.
Named for the public passage that connected the working auditorium at the rear of the property to Ryan Street, the Arcade Theatre was the premier-venue for concerts, plays, vaudeville, and other performances. Onstage were such top- flight acts as Houdini, the 'St. Louis Symphony, and the Barrymores in addition to many community events
The passage ran through the Miller Building a three-story structure that housed offices and shops. In 1978 the entire complex was listed on the National Register; however, a fire gutted the facility beyond salvation in 1985.
Just north of the Miller Building was the Paramount Theater, one of the opulent movie palaces of that chain. The Paramount was the grandest of Lake Charles movie houses, one of over twenty now demolished, which included the Lyric, the Pitt, the Delta, the Ritz, and the Palace.
Erected by Calcasieu Historical
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Notable Buildings.
Location. 30° 13.706′ N, 93° 13.044′ W. Marker is in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in Calcasieu Parish. Marker is on Ryan Street south of Broad Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake Charles LA 70601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Majestic Hotel (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lost Railroad Stations (approx. 0.3 miles away); Christian Science (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lake Charles 9/11 Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Captain Daniel Johannes Goos (approx. 0.4 miles away); 44th Air Refueling Squadron (approx. half a mile away); Adolphus W. Greely (approx. half a mile away); Theodore S. Wilkinson Jr. (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Charles.
More about this marker. Part of the "Lost Landmarks" series.
Also see . . . Lake Charles Lost Landmarks. (Submitted on April 13, 2018.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2018.
