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Paramount Theatre (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Encyclopedia
The Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
, is a 6-story brick building located in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The theater is a restored example of a 1920's movie/vaudeville palace. It was damaged by the flood of June 2008
, that submerged most of downtown Cedar Rapids.
The Paramount serves as home to the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, the Cedar Rapids Area Theater Organ Society, and a series of Community Concerts. It is famous for its restored Wurlitzer
theater organ, which could be lifted up from below stage level when used. The Paramount is included in the National Register of Historic Places
.
" organ was central to much of the entertainment it provided.
In 1929 it was purchased by Paramount Pictures
, and given its current name.
The theater's architectural ideal was palatial, with a "Hall of Mirrors" patterned after that in Versailles
and expensive oil paintings, busts, furniture and other treasures. Most of this was removed in the 1950s.
culture and tourism grant. The renovation took place in 2003 and added a 57' wing space, a reception hall, and much-improved HVAC system
and electrical and fire system. It also repaired or replaced seat covers, restrooms, and carpeting. After the 2003 renovation, the main floor of the theater seated 1126 and the balcony seated 787. The theater kept an autograph book of all famous performers who had appeared on its stages.
that began in the early morning of Wednesday, June 11, 2008 when the Cedar River rose up over its banks. When the record-breaking flood waters crested at 32 feet on Friday, June 13, 2008, most of downtown Cedar Rapids was covered in a toxic mix of garbage and river water, including the Paramount. Future restoration plans were still in evaluation as of Spring of 2010. The console, lift, and blower of the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ were destroyed by the flood.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
, is a 6-story brick building located in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The theater is a restored example of a 1920's movie/vaudeville palace. It was damaged by the flood of June 2008
Iowa flood of 2008
The Iowa flood of 2008 was a hydrological event involving most of the rivers in eastern Iowa beginning around June 8, 2008 and ending about July 1. Flooding continued on the Upper Mississippi River in the southeastern portion of the state for several more days...
, that submerged most of downtown Cedar Rapids.
The Paramount serves as home to the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, the Cedar Rapids Area Theater Organ Society, and a series of Community Concerts. It is famous for its restored Wurlitzer
Wurlitzer
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....
theater organ, which could be lifted up from below stage level when used. The Paramount is included in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Early history
The Paramount first opened on September 1, 1928, and was at the time called the Capitol Theater. For its first year it presented a full range of comedians, singers, dancers, acrobats, movies, and audience sing-alongs; its "Mighty WurlitzerWurlitzer
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....
" organ was central to much of the entertainment it provided.
In 1929 it was purchased by Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, and given its current name.
The theater's architectural ideal was palatial, with a "Hall of Mirrors" patterned after that in Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
and expensive oil paintings, busts, furniture and other treasures. Most of this was removed in the 1950s.
Restoration in 1970s
The theater's website says it was "gifted" to the city of Cedar Rapids in December 1975. A 15-member commission was formed to develop it, and decided that the theater should be restored to its original state. To fund the restoration, the committee undertook a fund drive that raised $400,000 (about $1.75 million in 2008 dollars) from businesses and individuals. No tax revenues were used.Renovation in 2000s
A second renovation fund-drive was undertaken in 2001, raising $7.8 million (about $9.5 million in 2008 dollars). A key funding source was a State of IowaIowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
culture and tourism grant. The renovation took place in 2003 and added a 57' wing space, a reception hall, and much-improved HVAC system
HVAC control system
-Direct digital control:Central controllers and most terminal unit controllers are programmable, meaning the direct digital control program code may be customized for the intended use. The program features include time schedules, setpoints, controllers, logic, timers, trend logs, and alarms...
and electrical and fire system. It also repaired or replaced seat covers, restrooms, and carpeting. After the 2003 renovation, the main floor of the theater seated 1126 and the balcony seated 787. The theater kept an autograph book of all famous performers who had appeared on its stages.
Flood of 2008
The Paramount Theatre was damaged by the epic floodIowa flood of 2008
The Iowa flood of 2008 was a hydrological event involving most of the rivers in eastern Iowa beginning around June 8, 2008 and ending about July 1. Flooding continued on the Upper Mississippi River in the southeastern portion of the state for several more days...
that began in the early morning of Wednesday, June 11, 2008 when the Cedar River rose up over its banks. When the record-breaking flood waters crested at 32 feet on Friday, June 13, 2008, most of downtown Cedar Rapids was covered in a toxic mix of garbage and river water, including the Paramount. Future restoration plans were still in evaluation as of Spring of 2010. The console, lift, and blower of the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ were destroyed by the flood.
External links
- Paramount Theatre
- CRATOS website - Cedar Rapids Area Theatre Organ Society