Palmetto Theatre
172 E. Main Street,
Spartanburg,
SC
172 E. Main Street,
Spartanburg,
SC
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Sadly, The Palmetto would start running X rated films.Dec 2 1970 has the X-rated “RIBALD TALES OF ROBIN HOOD”.Usually an X rated Double feature for this one time classy theatre.
Jan, 7. 1970 it was showing “SPIRITS OF THE DEAD” rated GP.
August 10th ad and articles at View link
Interesting to actually view a NRHP registration form yet this art moderne single screen theatre was demolished…go figure! It had a history of being the first run theatre in Spartansburg circa 1941 and yet it wasn’t saved!
This is the National Register of Historic Places registration form for the Palmetto Theater.
1984 photo of the Palmetta Theatre.
View link
Susan: In the near future I hope you can post your ‘prime’ photo that you mentioned on July 4, 2005 since the one shown on this link is of an empty space.
Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1996
Palmetto Theater (added 1996 – Building – #96000405)
172 E. Main St., Spartanburg
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Stillwell,Erle G.
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use
I have a photo of the Palmetto Theater in it’s prime.
When the photo submission feature is upgraded, I’d
like to submit this photo to the site.
The opening attraction at the Palmetto Theatre in late 1940 (sorry, I don’t have an exact date) was Ann Shirley in “West Point Widow” with Richard Carlson and Richard Denning as supporting actors.
The headers for the Palmetto Theatre need ammending to:
Status: Closed/Demolished
Style: Art Moderne
Seats: 850
Architect: Earl G. Stilwell
When first opened it had a seating capacity of 850, which included a special ‘coloured’ only section in the rear of the balcony.
The Film Daily Yearbook, 1950 gives the address as 172 E. Main Street, the prime location being on the NW corner of E. Main Street and N. Liberty Street. A seating capacity of 818 is given in the year 1950.
During it last years of operation it survived on a diet of karate and X-rated movies. It was torn down in June 2003.
The remains of the Palmetto Theater looks about like the Carolina Theatre’s lobby area which is gone. I know that Myrtle Beach has the Palace Theatre, but wondered why it isn’t listed for theatres in South Carolna. Many years ago the RCMH Christmas Spectacular was at the Palace.
The Palmetto Theater was demolished in 2003. A new building housing law offices now stands on the site.
I have a photo of the Garden Theater in Charleston if you would like it. Also, there is news regarding the contract between the owner and the City of Charleston. The lease has expired.