Palace Theatre
1125 West Fifth Street,
Dayton,
OH
45402
1125 West Fifth Street,
Dayton,
OH
45402
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Built in 1927 on W. Fifth Street close to S. Williams Street, the Palace became one of the most popular theatres in Dayton’s predominantly black West Side. For part of its history, the Palace was the equivalent of the Apollo Theatre in New York City’s Harlem, with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Dinah Washington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Billy Eckstine among the many stars that performed there.
Stage shows ended in the 1950s, but movies continued until the Palace closed in the 1970s. After standing vacant for decades, the Palace was demolished in 2002.
Contributed by
Warren G. Harris
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
The Palace seated 1,200, and not 600, which was erroneously reported in Film Daily Year Books. When I submitted this listing, I stated 1,200. I don’t know why that was changed. It gives an innacurate impression of the size of the theatre, which had a balcony as well as an orchestra floor. Here are two photos taken in 2002, showing owner Michael Branch awaiting the start of demolition after all efforts to save the theatre failed:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/daypalace1.jpg
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/daypalace2.jpg
The pictures reveal a once great theatre and Michael Branch has my sympathy.
My grandfather was a doctor in Dayton and was an investor in this theater when it was originally built.
Is this the same place where KISS performed? It was April 11,1975.
Same place where Queen performed 1975. Tickets cost $4.50. I still have a ticket stub. Fantastic concert.
The dirt lot shown in the street view is where the theatre sat…Warren, your links to photo bucket are no longer good. I would love to see them.
I think some people are confusing the original Palace Theatre (listed here) with the old Loew’s Theatre that used to be on N. Main in Downtown Dayton across from the Victoria (Victory) Theatre. It was renamed “The Palace” in 1972 and that’s where many rock concerts were held until it was demolished in 1975. The original Palace on Fifth Street (this one) is not the same Palace where Queen and Kiss played.