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Also known as New Opera House

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Palace Theatre

Luverne, MN

104 E. Main Street

, Luverne, MN 56156 United States

(map)

Status:	Open
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Beaux-Arts, Neo-Classical

Function:	Live Performances, Movies
Seats:	590
Chain:	Independent

Architect:	W.E.E. Greene
Firm:	Unknown

1920s postcard view of the Palace Theatre (visible at right)

Photo courtesy of the public domain

Originally named the New Opera House, it opened in September in 1915 and was designed by architect W.E.E. Greene. It was opened by Herman Jochins. It was soon renamed the Palace Theatre and used for both vaudeville, concerts, and motion pictures.

Built in the Beaux-Arts style popular around the early years of the 20th Century, a tall vertical marquee spelling out the theater's name was added a couple decades later.

In the theater's first few years, Herman Jochin's wife Maude would accompany the silent films on a piano, and, after a pipe organ was installed in 1926, Mrs. Jochins would do the same on the organ.

In 1945 the interior was completely re-designed in an Art Deco style. The Palace has been heavily restored recent years to return the theater to this Art Deco appearance, and today not only still features movies, but live entertainment on its stage.

It would seem that the Jochins loved their theater so much, they decided to stay around there long after they passed away, according to both staff and patrons at the Palace. For many years now, the spirits of both Herman and Maude have been seen around the theater.

Herman, it's said, likes to stand in the balcony and observe performances now and then, and Maude still enjoys playing the theater's organ, even during the time it was unoperable, before a restoration returned it to working condition.

The Palace was added several years ago to the National Register of Historic Places.

Related Websites

Palace Theatre Luverne (Official)

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

YOUR COMMENTS

This is a small photo of the Palace Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 4, 2005 at 2:55pm

Here is a 1947 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/phpyv

posted by ken mc on Aug 15, 2006 at 5:47pm

Here is a modern photo of the Palace Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 26, 2006 at 6:12am

Here is an article about Mr. and Mrs. Jochin:
http://tinyurl.com/y6b57q

posted by ken mc on Dec 1, 2006 at 4:21pm

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980

Palace Theater (added 1980 - Building - #80002157)
Main St. and Freeman Ave., Luverne
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Greene,W.E.E.
Architectural Style: Classical Revival
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Auditorium, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 11, 2007 at 6:08am

A Geneva theater organ size 2/5 was installed in the Palace Theater in 1925.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 30, 2007 at 11:24am

This theatre has been pictured many times during the Ken Burns film "The War" which is currently being aired on PBS.

posted by YankeeMike on Sep 26, 2007 at 12:31pm

I was wondering if there was a listing and here it is! Have been watching the series........

posted by TJ on Oct 1, 2007 at 1:21pm

Another photo can be seen on this website.

posted by Lost Memory on Nov 5, 2007 at 4:54pm

I am looking for information on the architect W.E.E. Greene. They designed my house in 1897, the J.W. Gerber House, in Luverne, MN. If you have any information on this architect, please let me know. I am hoping to find someone who might have a set of building plans for preservation purposes. Please send any correspondence to:

nathan.wle@midconetwork.com

Thank you.

posted by Lund on Dec 27, 2007 at 1:40pm

This is another photo of the Palace Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 20, 2008 at 7:58pm

I was in Luverne back in 1987 or 1988 and the theatre portion was closed off and the lobby acted as a video store. I must say though that I can't remember if it was indeed this theatre but I do know it was in Luverne, Minnesota.

posted by MissRandi on Jul 15, 2008 at 1:05pm

Here is a December 2008 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Feb 26, 2009 at 6:18pm

This was the Palace Theater circa 1915.

posted by Lost Memory on Mar 9, 2009 at 11:13am

1984 photo of the Palace Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c23%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=28744

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 30, 2009 at 9:07pm

1985 photo of the Palace Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c23%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=28745
Another 1985 photo of the Palace Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c23%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=28746

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 30, 2009 at 9:08pm

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