Palace Theatre

126 E. Washington Boulevard,
Fort Wayne, IN 46802

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: RKO

Architects: Cornelius Ward Rapp, George W. Leslie Rapp

Firms: Rapp & Rapp

Previous Names: New Palace Theatre, RKO Palace Theatre, Civic Playhouse Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Exterior of the Palace Theatre in downtown Fort Wayne, IN.

Opened on January 25, 1915 as the Palace Theatre. In 1930 it was taken over by RKO who closed it in 1931. On December 24, 1933 it reopened, still retaining the Palace Theatre name. It was renamed the Civic Playhouse Theatre in 1965. The building was later demolished.

Contributed by Ken McIntyre

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on March 27, 2007 at 2:34 pm

Here are two photos of the Palace/Civic:
http://tinyurl.com/2hb3zh
http://tinyurl.com/2bucuf

PaulWolter
PaulWolter on April 15, 2007 at 5:03 pm

I think this was designed by Rapp & Rapp. The facade is remarkably similar to the facade of the Orpheum Theatre in Champaign, Illinois which was built in 1914. The Chicago Historical Society references a Rapp & Rapp design in 1914 for a theatre in Fort Wayne for Stouder and Barnett.

PaulWolter
PaulWolter on April 30, 2007 at 1:16 pm

I have just read newspaper articles from the Fort Wayne News from 1914 and 1915 and can verify that this was indeed a Rapp & Rapp design. Hopefully Ken can modify the architect listing at the top of this page so that this important early Rapp & Rapp design gets recognized. The theatre opened on January 25, 1915 as the New Palace Theatre. I hope to type up and post the newspaper listings here.

webchicken
webchicken on September 12, 2007 at 1:39 pm

According to the Fort Wayne City Directories (Polk), the building was listed as Civic Theatre as early as 1958.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 8, 2013 at 5:33 pm

A 1917 volume called The Pictorial History of Fort Wayne Indiana, by Joseph Griswold, has a paragraph about the Palace Theatre as part of a brief biography of Frank E. Stouder:

“1913 Mr. Stouder organized what is now the Palace Theater Company and instituted the erection of this theater, which was formally opened to the public on January 25, 1915, and it has gained recognition as one of the most modern and attractive theaters in the middle west. It is conceded to be the finest house devoted to vaudeville entertainment in the entire state of Indiana, and the building was erected and equipped at a cost of two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. It is of thoroughly fireproof construction, has a seating capacity of two thousand, has the most approved appointments for lighting, heating and ventilating and the general equipment of the stage and general auditorium is of thoroughly metropolitan order, the house having been designed by C. W. and G. L. Rapp, the celebrated theater architects, of Chicago. In presenting the attractions of the unrivaled Keith vaudeville circuit this beautiful house has not been denied the full measure of popular approval and support, and it has added much to the metropolitan prestige of Fort Wayne.”
In partnership with Byron H. Barnett, Frank Stouder had earlier operated two other Fort Wayne houses; the Temple Theatre, beginning in 1894, and the Lyric Theatre, beginning in 1910. Stouder and Barnett disposed of their interests in both houses in 1915, to concentrate on operating the Palace.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 11, 2014 at 12:53 am

W.C. Quimby took over the Palace in 1923, as noted in this item from the September 15 issue of Exhibitors Herald:

“W. C. Quimby Taking Over Ft. Wayne House

(Special to Exhibitors Herald)

“FORT WAYNE, IND., Sept. 5.— Negotiations for the transfer of the Palace theatre in this city, one of the most beautiful playhouses in the middle west, are nearing completion, it has been learned, and new owners are expected to take control soon. W. C. Quimby, owner of three houses in Fort Wayne, it has become known, is buying fifty per cent of the stock of the holding company, and is leasing the remainder for a period of twenty years.

“The deal is said to involve a consideration of $500,000. The theatre has been the leading vaudeville house in Fort Wayne for many years and is at present playing stock. The future policy of the playhouse has not been determined.”

Clyde Quimby had some sort of deal with RKO. The 1933 Fort Wayne directory lists this house as the RKO Palace Theatre.

mwoehnker
mwoehnker on July 30, 2020 at 5:50 am

“On April 23, 1957, the curtain is about to fall on the Palace Theater, at the corner of Clinton Street and Washington Boulevard. The building’s owners have announced it will be razed to make room for a parking lot. The second-oldest theater in the city, it cost $200,000 to build and seated 1,700. It was dedicated Jan. 25, 1915, and at the time was devoted exclusively to vaudeville, then in its heyday.” – Dan Vance, writing for the News-Sentinel, 04-23-2018

rivest266
rivest266 on April 22, 2024 at 2:31 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on April 23, 2024 at 3:49 am

RKO takes over the Palace, Jefferson and Emboyd theatres in 1930 and closes the Palace theatre in 1931. It reopened on December 24th, 1933. Grand opening ad posted.

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