In the early part of the twentieth century, long before television, people enjoyed being entertained at local venues--places within walking distance of their homes where

Located on Fourth Street, between Cherry and Railroad streets in East Green- ville, the Palace Theater had the look and feel of a big-city production hall   while maintaining the intimacy of a small theater.

they could find quality entertainment for the entire family.

            There were several theaters and performance halls in the area back then.  You could see a stage show or movie at the Aurora Theater in Pennsburg's Odd Fellows Hall, Red Hill's Pastime Motion Picture Theater, or East Greenville's Knights of Pythias Hall.  Music recitals and other performances were also staged in the Perkiomen School gymnasium for public enjoyment.  Vaudeville shows were staggered around the regular dance schedule at Pennsburg's Odeon Hall.

            Hidden among the facilities of the day was the Palace Theater in East

The Palace Theater was just across the alley from the Globe Hotel and made the location a great spot for a Sat- urday night dinner and show.

Greenville.  At the time it was the one place around here that was truly built to offer the best accommodations for the audience and performer. 

            Located on Fourth Street, between Cherry and Railroad streets in East Greenville, it had the look and feel of a big-city production hall while maintaining the intimacy of a small theater.  Being across the alley from the Globe Hotel made the location a great spot for a Saturday night dinner and show.

            Construction began in 1910, by the widow of Adam Reiff, the owner of the Globe Hotel, and by March 16, 1911 manager Walter R Javens was ready to open the Palace Theater.  It was heralded as the most up-to-date building of its kind in this part of the state.  The structure was 110 feet long by 30 feet wide.  It was equipped for dramatic productions, vaudeville, or moving pictures. 

            The building was of wood-frame construction but advertised fireproof interior decorations.  They included artistic ornamented steel ceilings and walls.  Inside the auditorium, the pale-green and gold colors warmed the audience while they basked in the beauty of the Victorian style interior architecture.  The lobby was royally decorated in white and gold and made a great first impression on visitors.  There were six spacious dressing rooms under the stage.

            The building stood 27 feet high and easily accommodated a large balcony that added to the seating capacity.  With the horror of the Boyertown Opera House fire only

Many weeks the theater presented shows on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  Special dates were added to accommodate fundraising productions for local church and civic groups.  For five years, several different managers tried to make the Palace Theater a paying proposition.  All failed.

a few years past, the Palace Theater was equipped with several wide exits on all sides of the building.

            The front of the theater featured two wide doors and a large window under an arched roof.  The façade was adorned and illuminated with 300 electric lights.

            Many weeks the theater presented shows on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  Special dates were added to accommodate fundraising productions for local church and civic groups.

            Some of the early entertainment you could find there included the magic and illusions of The Great Deonyo Company, silent film classic "Uncle Tom's Cabin", the vaudeville singing and dancing of Elizabeth Hovell.  For just ten-cents for adults or a nickel for children, you could enjoy a show at the Palace.

            For a short period of time, the building was a landmark in the community.

            A journalist for the Town and Country newspaper wrote in 1936 that he saw his first motion picture there.  He also mentioned that his grandmother, who accompanied him, was seeing a motion picture for the first time as well.

            Though he didn't remember the name of the film, he vividly remembered during the show "there appeared to be on the screen a speeding locomotive coming head-on at a terrific velocity.  It grew larger and larger as it approached, towering menacingly over the bald head of the piano player who thumped out descriptive music at a tuneless piano at the foot of the stage."

            He went on to write that the audience moved uneasily in their seats.  Then, suddenly, as the "fire breathing giant" of the rails appeared ready to jump the tracks into the audience, the train veered off at a sharp angle and disappeared from the screen.

            That was his first motion picture experience.  It was the last for his grandmother as she was so shocked and unnerved at the locomotive scene that the unpleasant experience would keep her from ever watching a motion picture show again.

            In addition to motion pictures, serials were popular at the Palace Theater.  Multiple episodes of films like the "Iron Claw" (starring Pearl White – Queen of the Serials), "The Red Circle", and "Neil of the Navy" brought theatergoers back to see what happens in the next edition.  Kind of like the way we watch a television series today.

            Despite its grand beginnings the Palace Theater didn't last. Maybe because of the Fourth Street location.  Newer theaters in the area were located on Main Street near the centers of East Greenville and Pennsburg. 

            For five years, several different managers tried to make the Palace Theater a paying proposition.  All failed.

            The building was later owned by Katie Reiff, daughter of Abraham, who then sold it to Harley Getz – then owner of the Globe Hotel.

            After its use as a motion picture theater failed, the building sat vacant for a period of time.  It was eventually leased off-and-on as a factory and a warehouse.  It was also turned into a cigar factory for a period of time.

            In 1936, Getz decided that the building could never be put to any paying service and the upkeep was too expensive so he decided to have the building razed and disposed of the lumber.  

            Like the silent movies of its heyday, the Palace Theater passed into history.  Leaving only the rear portion of the structure standing today as residences.