Palace Theatre

791 Broadway,
Gary, IN 46402

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Showing 76 - 100 of 104 comments

urbanremainschicago
urbanremainschicago on April 15, 2007 at 5:12 am

we have a very solid and reputable business involved in preserving and/or saving architectural artifacts representing buildings undergoing demolition. although (and like other dealers) we buy from estate sales, other dealers, etc., nearly 90% of our inventory comes from demolition sites that we actively engage in regarding relic removal. if you are so concerned about saving structure x or structure y mr. snweb, then try being a bit more proactive yeah? what have you done personally to either save a building in it’s entirety and/or rescue remains from an unstoppable demolition? at this point, you simply are a blogger who clearly screams out unprofessionalism, and your commentary is a direct and wonderful represenation of that!

urbanremainschicago
urbanremainschicago on April 15, 2007 at 5:03 am

concerning the consequences of “snweb.org” and/or his accusatory commentary

Defamation is an injury to the reputation or character of someone resulting from the false statements or actions of another. Defamation is a false attack on your good name. Your good name is regarded as a proprietary interest, not a personal interest. Defamation is an improper and unlawful attack against your proprietary right to your good name, your reputation.

A legal claim based on defamation entitles the victim to recover against the defamer for his or her emotional damages. In addition, the victim will be entitled to sue for punitive, or punishment, damages.

urbanremainschicago
urbanremainschicago on April 14, 2007 at 8:04 pm

again, not to be redundant, but “snweb” and his claims against our company are unfounded. we are not sure what the motives are here…perhaps an intentional ploy to boost his ego and/or website and/or so-called “decay” photography? we bought the coffered ceiling fragment from a reputable chicago dealer, who sold several of these items across the country to a number of salvage companies. please step forward and contact us “snweb”. your accusations are rather unprofessional yeah? what does that say about yourself? perhaps you should be charged w/ defamation of character?

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on April 14, 2007 at 6:10 pm

If you are right about this it is truly a pitiful course of action SNWEB. I very much agree wtih you.

sdoerr
sdoerr on April 14, 2007 at 5:35 pm

How sad that these lobby details were illegally stolen to sell for hundreds of dollars:
View link

This company should be charged for theft. I have seen this happen with too many buildings in Detroit that have had details stolen to be found at salvage shops. Get the Indiana Historical Society on the case…

jackshaw
jackshaw on November 28, 2006 at 4:24 pm

Of all the theaters, I think I miss the Palace the Most. This was my introduction to the BIG SCREEN. I remember going to see the Three Stooges. Nothing like the Stooges on the silver screen! Then there was Ben Hur and some of the epics of that time. Jerry Lewis Movies at the Palace! How about “House on Haunted Hill?” Sadly, the last movie we saw at the Palace was “Bonnie and Clyde” and there was more crime going on in the seats than in the movie. We were robbed for our bus money. Never went back.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on September 3, 2006 at 3:49 pm

I have seen a few mentions of support for restoration of the Palace on the Internet. My question is, what is left to restore?

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You might be able to fashion a modern auditorium within the building’s structure. But my next question is, what does Gary need with an auditorium?

RegionRat
RegionRat on November 9, 2005 at 6:44 pm

You have all taken some awesome and heartbreaking images. I would love to be able to do some urban exploration in Gary, the Palace and the Sheraton especially. Any advice or groups to look up?

sdoerr
sdoerr on October 4, 2005 at 10:08 am

Here’s a great shot of the Palace today

Really shows how far the place is beyond saving sadly

wccdc
wccdc on July 11, 2005 at 3:41 pm

I am goign to make a point of watching that movie now. Thanks.

wccdc
wccdc on July 10, 2005 at 4:18 am

It closed before Star Wars came out.

wccdc
wccdc on July 2, 2005 at 1:41 pm

A friend that was in the area this week said that the Palace is boarded up tight now

wccdc
wccdc on January 26, 2005 at 4:39 am

View link

There are some nice interiors in the middle of this discussion thread.

I went back last week. I took a good look around and would have to say that preserving that building would be a waste of time. I hate to see a landmark go down but there is not one thing left inthere all the plaster is gone. All thats left is the shell and its it bad shape from water damage.
View link
View link

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on December 18, 2004 at 2:26 pm

The opening date of the Palace Theatre was 26th November 1925.

ericataylor22
ericataylor22 on December 7, 2004 at 2:58 pm

To All Those Who Might be Interested:

There are several organizations working with the City of Gary to get the Palace Theater renovated. We have temporarily gotten the demolition order stopped to work on a stabilization and feasibility plan for the theater and the 600 -700 block of Broadway in downtown Gary. We recently in the building, and unfortunately there is not much left minus some decorative plaster here and there that the water infiltration has not knocked to the ground.

While all of this is happening we are looking to try and find the original Eberson blueprints, interior and exterior photographs from the buildings heyday. If anyone can help us locate these things, please let me know at

We really want to save this important architectural treasure and would welcome any an all support that we can get. The City of Gary is not the best bastion for historic preservation and a “save” of such importance could really turn the tide in a postivie way

wccdc
wccdc on November 5, 2004 at 4:19 pm

It was cool the south shore train from chicago stops right in the middle of Gary. For me it was like an amusement park. I had a good host so no time was wasted gogin to the wrong places. Glad you liked the video. plenty more where that came from.

Divinity
Divinity on November 4, 2004 at 9:32 pm

Wccdc,
I saw your video and cant help but wonder what happened to that town. It doesnt appear to be an urban slum covered in grafitti and garbage. The community seems to have been abandoned like a ghost town. Why did everyone leave? Where did they go?
The ruins are fascinating. I am almost inspired to pack my things up and explore them. How does one find this place? Is it safe?

wccdc
wccdc on November 4, 2004 at 7:01 pm

No cops in Gary I was there all day in several buildings. I dont recommend anything ileagle the risk is yours. Gary is a wonderful town for UE.

Divinity
Divinity on October 29, 2004 at 11:18 am

Perhaps the only solution would be to gut and renovate.The remaining ornamentation in the theater could be removed and restored while the mural, and any other significant pieces including historic photographs could be put on display in the new lobby which could be used as a gallery.

genesimmons135
genesimmons135 on October 29, 2004 at 10:04 am

are the cops bad? I want to go befor it is gone.

wccdc
wccdc on October 19, 2004 at 6:30 pm

Sorry about that Ill keep that in mind for future postings :)

Patrick Crowley
Patrick Crowley on October 18, 2004 at 7:43 am

WCCDC — we had to remove your photos due to their excessive width.

If you wish to include photos in your comments, please make sure the images are less than 565 pixels wide or we will have to remove them again.

Alternately, if you’d prefer not to resize the images, just add direct links to your photos.

wccdc
wccdc on October 14, 2004 at 4:42 pm

I was there last Sunday. Very bad condition and cant be saved. The buiklding is beyond renovation sadley almost all the plaster is gone and many years of decay have taken a toll. I have video I took in Gary that includes the Palace theater posted on my website forum
www.northville-tunnels.com
also have pictures posted in my forum as well
Click for large video

JohnSanchez
JohnSanchez on September 28, 2004 at 1:34 pm

Robert, the marquee reads Jackson Five Tonight. That was put up there at least 23 years ago and never removed.