Palmetto Theatre
1417 Main Street,
Columbia,
SC
29201
1417 Main Street,
Columbia,
SC
29201
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: ABC Theatres, Paramount Pictures Inc., Wilby-Kincey
Previous Names: Lyric Theatre, Pastime Vaudeville Theatre, Imperial Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The theatre was located on the 1400 block of Main Street in Columbia. At one time Main Street had a theatre on each block for six blocks. It was originally built in 1909, opening on January 20, 1908 as the Lyric Theatre. On June 1, 1915 it became the second Pastime Vaudeville Theatre and on April 19, 1920 it became the Imperial Theatre. On July 19, 1937 it was renamed Palmetto Theatre when it was taken over by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary H.F. Kincey. The Palmetto Theatre was still open in 1956, but had closed by 1957. It was a great looking old style theatre and was a pleasure to start my training as assistant manager and returning a few years later as manager.
I sure wish I had some pictures, as this was truly a great old style theatre with two balconies. The top balcony had its own entrance next to the main entrance and concession stand for African-Americans.
Contributed by
Dickie
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
Anyone that worked here,it being a ABC/Plitt Theatre; Check out REMEMBERING PLITT THEATRES on Facebook.
no local response, town full of losers,,, hard to believe..
I like the old signage so much better than the replacement. Great pic.
To Mike Rogers……what response are you looking for??? I worked for ABC Theatres for 20 years and had two stints at the Palmetto.
Was the Palmetto an ABC/Plitt Theater?
YEP, our DM worked out of there,MR.BIGGS.
Launched as the Lyric Theatre in 1909. The Rawl Brothers' Pastime Vaudeville Theater from 1438 Main Street took over the location in 1915 and was renamed. The Rawl Brothers then took on the Columbia in 1918 which is likely about the time that the Pastime became the Imperial Theatre. Finally, it was renamed as the Palmetto Theatre.
The Lyric theatre opened on January 20th, 1908. Reopened as Pastime on June 1st, 1915, Reopened as Imperial on April 19th, 1920. I uploaded the Pastime and Imperial grand opening ad in the photo section.
This reopened as Palmetto on July 19th, 1937. A grand opening ad can be found in the photo section.
The Palmetto was last operated by Plitt, and closed its doors for the final time on October 24, 1979 with “Redneck County” as its last film. The manager for Plitt said that “it was due to economics” but he wants to continue running the theater.
It was demolished to make way for an extended parking lot, as this comes a day after the General Cinema operated Columbia Mall Theatre’s strike on the possible ban of “Life Of Brian”.