Paramount Theatre (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
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Paramount Theater Building
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The Paramount Theatre marquee in Cedar Rapids
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| Location | 123 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
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| Coordinates | 41°58′35.6″N 91°40′1.5″W / 41.976556°N 91.667083°WCoordinates: 41°58′35.6″N 91°40′1.5″W / 41.976556°N 91.667083°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Peacock and Frank |
| Part of | Cedar Rapids Central Business District Commercial Historic District (#15000757) |
| NRHP reference # | 76000778 |
| Added to NRHP | August 26, 1976 |
The Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a 6-story brick building located in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In 2015 it was included as a contributing property in the Cedar Rapids Central Business District Commercial Historic District.
The theater is a restored example of a vaudeville/movie palace of the 1920s. It was damaged by the flood of June 2008, which submerged most of downtown Cedar Rapids.
The Paramount serves as home to Orchestra Iowa, 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.
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 Wurlitzer" 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.
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.
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