State Theatre

Joe Vogel on November 25, 2011 at 10:42 pm

The Palm Theatre opened even earlier than the 1920s. One modern source says that it opened in December, 1913. The earliest reference I’ve found in trade publications of the period appears in the July 12, 1913 issue of The Moving Picture World:

“A new company will be formed In Rockford to operate a moving picture show at 105 West State Street. Charles Lamb, manager of the Grand Opera House, will be at the head of the company. The building will be remodeled and an arcade front will be placed. The construction is to be such that the theater can be reached in the summer time from the river front as well as from the State Street entrance.”

The July 26, 1913, issue of the same publication had the first mention of the theater’s name:

“Plans for the new Palm Theater in Rockford, which are now being prepared by Architect Frank A. Carpenter, calls for a departure from moving picture theaters in that city. The Arcade will have a soda fountain, a cigar stand and a candy booth. The operator and machine will be outside of the building, [in a] hut opening into the auditorium. It is also expected to have a roof garden 20x95 feet over the auditorium. The building, which is now occupied by an electric company, will be vacated about the middle of July. The theater will be financed by an organization known as the Palm Amusement Company, and will have a capital stock of $25,000.”

The August 2, 1913, issue of The Moving Picture World had annother announcement:

“The Palm Amusement Company, of Bockford, has been incorporated, with a capital stock of $25,000, to do a general amusement business and to conduct a vaudeville show and music hall. The incorporators are: Charles Lamb, Fred B. Sterling and Fred E. Carpenter.”

In 1917, the Palm Theatre was expanded, as noted in this item from the August 1 issue of The American Contractor:

“Rockford, Ill.—Theater (rear add.): 35x50. Rockford. Archts. C. W. & Geo. L. Rapp, 69 W. Washington St., Chicago. Owner Palm Theater Co., care archts. Plans drawn.”

The September 1 issue of the same publication said that construction of the addition’s walls was underway.

JimG on October 31, 2005 at 6:39 pm

The State theatre was much older it oppened in the Early 20s as the Palm it closed for a time and was a miniture golf then it was turned into a theatre it had a Kimball theatre organ it was torn down to make ready for a senior citizen residence building