Palmetto Theatre
172 E. Main Street,
Spartanburg,
SC
29306
172 E. Main Street,
Spartanburg,
SC
29306
No one has favorited this theater yet
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Wilby-Kincey
Architects: Erle G. Stillwell
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 2, 2010 — Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music"
The 850-seat Palmetto Theatre, Wilby-Kincey’s first-run theatre in Spartanburg, was built in 1940, opened in late-1940 with Anne Shirley in “West Point Widow”.
Closed June 21, 1979 with Burt Reynolds in “Hooper”. The roof of the theatre collapsed in 1980 and only the shell of the building remained in recent years. It was torn down in 2003 and an office building constructed on the site.
Contributed by
Michael Hopson
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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!
August 10th ad and articles at View link
Jan, 7. 1970 it was showing “SPIRITS OF THE DEAD” rated GP.
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.
CLOSED JUNE 21, 1979
LAST FILM SHOWN BURT REYNOLDS IN “HOOPER”
I WORKED FOR PIEDMONT THEATRES AT THE TIME AND HELPED CLOSE IT.