Anderson in Madison County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Paramount Theatre

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 5, 2023

1. Paramount Theatre Markers

Inscription. [Top]
Paramount Theatre Building
built 1929
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
[Bottom]
The Paramount Heritage Foundation wishes to acknowledge the generous donation by Phillip R. Shirley, D.V.M. for the replacement of the Vertical Blade Marquee that signaled this wonderful historic site when the Theatre opened August 20, 1929.

Dedicated November 18, 2006
Festival of Trees GALA

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 20, 1929.

Location. 40° 6.265′ N, 85° 40.745′ W. Marker is in Anderson, Indiana, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Meridian Street and East 12th Street, on the right when traveling north on Meridian Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1124 Meridian St, Anderson IN 46016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Remy Electric Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Anderson Carnegie Library (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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The First Methodist Church in Anderson Was Built Here (approx. 0.2 miles away); Public Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Anderson Street Railway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Madison County Veterans' Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic West Eighth Street (approx. 0.4 miles away); Madison County Historic Home (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anderson.

Regarding Paramount Theatre. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:

The Paramount Theater building is … a significant example of a 1920s movie palace in the Spanish-style combined with retail and office space. The building was designed by noted Indiana architect Alvin M. Strauss. It is likely that famed atmospheric theater architect John Eberson designed the theater portion of the building. …

The Paramount Theater opened August 20, 1929, with the Four Marx Brothers in the musical comedy "The Cocoanuts " as the feature. The Anderson Herald of that day published a special "Paramount Section", reflecting the importance of the new theater to the community.

The theater was
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 5, 2023

2. Paramount Theatre Entrance
The markers are on the right, just out of the picture frame. (My bad – Duane)
forced to cease operations for a time during 1930 and 1931 due to the Great Depression, but it reopened and was in nearly continuous operation until 1969. In the 1930s, the Paramount was also the community's center for live entertainment. Louis Armstrong and his orchestra, the Mills Brothers, the Harmonica Rascals, and ventriloquist Max Terhune were but a few who brought live entertainment to Anderson.

From 1969 to 1989 the Paramount passed through a succession of several different owners and by May, 1989, it was threatened by demolition. At that time a group of community leaders formed The Paramount Heritage Foundation, Inc. The foundation obtained ownership of the building and today [1991] is working to preserve the Paramount as a community cultural center.

Also see . . .
1. Paramount Theater Building. National Register nomination (PDF) and photographs (separate PDF) submitted for the theater, which was listed in 1991. (National Park Service) (Submitted on August 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Paramount Theatre Centre and Ballroom. Photo gallery of the threater, both past and present. (Cinema Treasures) (Submitted on August 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Grand Page Theatre Pipe Organ. Of the approximately 150 such

The Paramount Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 5, 2023

3. The Paramount Theatre

organs ever built, just three remain in their original location in the United States. The Paramount's is one of them. (The Paramount Theatre and Ballroom) (Submitted on August 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

<i>The Anderson Herald</i> Front Page image. Click for full size.

via Newspapers.com (Public Domain), August 20, 1929

4. The Anderson Herald Front Page

The newspaper published this special "Paramount Section" when the theater opened, underscoring its importance to the region.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.