Diana Theatre
137 E. Jefferson Street,
Tipton,
IN
46072
137 E. Jefferson Street,
Tipton,
IN
46072
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Firms: Johnson, McKinney & Schenck
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
765.675.4300
Nearby Theaters
The original Diana Theatre opened as the Grand Theatre by 1915 and became the Diana Theatre in 1926 (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures) and was owned and operated by the Paikos' family for the remainder of its life life. Jim Paikos' father Nicholas opened the theatre. Nicholas was a Greek immigrant coming to America at the age of 14, but the Diana Theatre was named after a Roman goddess. A naming contest was implemented and a young boy won a $10 gold piece after his suggestion was selected. The Diana Theatre has seen four generations of the Paikos' family operate the theatre. The original Diana Theatre was closed for a few months in 1947 after a major fire.
The theatre was rebuilt and opened again on April 26, 1948. The single screen Diana Theatre is a throwback to gentler and warmer times. Movies are selected with families and Tipton area values in mind. The theatre includes a crying room for parents of crying children to still watch the movie without bothering their seat mates. Twice a year, Christmas & Easter, the Paikos' family gives back to the community by treating the children and families to a free movie.
Contributed by
Lost Memory, Nick Paikos
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
A full page ad for the Diana Theatre in the April 23, 1948, issue of The Tipton Daily Tribune said that the fire the previous year had virtually destroyed the old theater and building, and that the new Diana Theatre was new construction. The project was designed by the architectural and engineering firm of Johnson, McKinney & Schenck.
An article in the Monday, June 24, 1946, issue of The Tipton Daily Tribune said that Wednesday would mark the 20th anniversary of the Diana Theatre. Nick Paikos, the original owner, was still operating the house. The article said that prior to being remodeled and reopened as the Diana the building had housed the Grand Theatre, but that it had been closed for some time.
The Grand Theatre was mentioned in the April 1, 1922, issue of Exhibitors Herald, which said that it had been bought by Clyde Wilson. Previously it had been operated by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Jackson.
Just to clarify, the prior theater was not owned by the Paoikos family until 1926.