
Paramount

by Steve Templeton
Title
Paramount
Artist
Steve Templeton
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photograph
Description
This sign is famous in Abilene! It has to have been photographed from every angle, and in every lighting and weather condition. I don't believe anyone from Abilene could look at this photo and not feel a twinge of nostalgia or homesickness. (My father worked as an usher here for a short time while he was attending Abilene High School back in the late 30's)
The Paramount was built in 1930 by H. O. Wooten, adjacent to his Hotel Wooten. Opening night was May 19, 1930, with the film, Safety in Numbers starring Carole Lombard.
The Paramount continued to operate as a movie theater until the 1970s, when the decline of downtown Abilene resulted in declining box office revenue. The theater was closed in 1979 for the first time since opening in 1930. The Abilene Preservation League formed the Paramount Committee to prevent the building from eminent demolition by working with the National Register of Historic Places.
The Paramount was later restored with funding from Julia Matthews and the Dodge Jones Foundation in 1986.
Uploaded
June 2nd, 2022
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