Built in 1929 by the same theatre chain that built the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix, AZ, Casa Grande's Paramount Theatre was the first talking picture show in Pinal County. The theatre was the town's leading entertainment center for more than 60 years. Long Theater Enterprises, which purchased the theatre in 1942, filed for bankruptcy in 1989. The theatre reopened but closed again in 1992. Debbie Martin purchased the 650-seat theatre in 1993. Through the Heritage Fund Grant, she was able to restore the outside of the theatre to its original Spanish Colonial Revival style and reconstruct the ticket booth in its original location. The theatre is listed on the Casa Grande Historic Register and the National Register of Historic Places. A special lighting ceremony was held on October 31, 2002 to celebrate the Casa Grande Main Street fund raising efforts that purchased a reproduction of the original marquee. In 2003 the Paramount Theatre was honored with two Arizona Main Street Awards; a finalist for Best Historic Preservation Project and a 1st Place winner for Best Façade Renovation Over $25,000. The Paramount was also a 2005 Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award Winner. Our Management Teams is:
The Paramount continues to bring affordable family-friendly entertainment and fun to our community and the surrounding area. |
History
How it began...
| Photo courtesy of Lindsey Gemme |
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