Palace Theatre (Silverton, Oregon)

Theatre in Silverton, Oregon, U.S.

Palace Theatre

The venue's front exterior in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic

Address| 200 North Water Street
Silverton, Oregon
United States
Coordinates| 40°0′21.7″N 122°47′0.2″W﻿ / ﻿40.006028°N 122.783389°W﻿ / 40.006028; -122.783389
Owner| Stu Rasmussen (1974–present)

Palace Theatre

U.S. Historic district
Contributing property

Part of| Silverton Commercial Historic District (ID87000878)
Designated CP| July 29, 1987[1]

The Palace Theatre is an art deco theatre in Silverton, Oregon, United States. The venue is a contributing property of the NRHP-listed Silverton Commercial Historic District.[1] Stu Rasmussen has been a co-owner since 1974.[2]

## History[edit]

Plaque describing the site's history

The current theatre was built in 1936,[3] replacing the Opera House, which was built during the early 1900s and screened films since 1909 but was destroyed by fire in 1935. Stu Rasmussen has co-owned the venue since 1974.[4]

In 2012, a fire forced the venue to close temporarily and undergo a restoration.[5][6] The theatre was restored to its original "glory, but with state-of-the-art 21st century entertainment technology carefully hidden away".[7]

A replica of the theatre's marquee was part of the set of the 2013 musical about Rasmussen called Stu for Silverton.[8]

Owners announced plans to close in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.[9][10] However, the theater has since re-opened.

## Architecture[edit]

The theatre faces southwest diagonally on a street corner. It is built of concrete. The facade features a large chevron pattern divided by vertical stripes. A metal-constructed marquee hangs in front of the theatre, supported from the upper facade by wires.[1]

## Reception[edit]

In 2018, Justin Much of the Statesman Journal included Palace Theatre in his list of "7 essentials to Silverton's unique appeal".[11]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Silverton Commercial Historic District" (PDF). National Park Service. July 29, 1987.
2. ^ "Mandatory face masks in indoor public spaces in Marion, Polk counties: What to know". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-09.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
3. ^ "Washington city creates 'wall of shame' for banks that neglect foreclosed houses: Northwest News Roundup". The Oregonian. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2020-11-09.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
4. ^ Lynn, Capi. "Silverton History Tour". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
5. ^ "Small Town Theater Looks To Happy Ending After Fire". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
6. ^ "Palace Theatre reopening". Statesman Journal. 2012-09-12. pp. A1. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
7. ^ "Washington city creates 'wall of shame' for banks that neglect foreclosed houses: Northwest News Roundup". The Oregonian. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2020-11-09.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
8. ^ Wilson, Gemma (2013-05-25). "Stu: the Musical". City Arts Magazine. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
9. ^ Ramirez, Luis. "Owners of Silverton's Palace Theater are stepping away from the business". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
10. ^ Poehler, Bill. "Salem Cinema reopens Friday with new COVID-19 protections". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
11. ^ Much, Justin. "Silverton tops 10k population mark amid growing pains". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-09.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Palace Theatre (Silverton, Oregon).

* Official website
* Palace Theatre at CinemaTreasures.org
* Palace Theatre at Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society