By 1990 Crossville's historic Palace Theatre had gotten so bad that the city was attempting to assess a daily $50 fine against the owner for violations of the slum ordinance. At that time the Palace sat with many holes in the roof, parts of the interior collapsing, and a large flock of pigeons roosting in the rafters and doing what pigeons do.
It is hard to believe that the theatre, once in that kind of shape, has become the very active entertainment venue that it is today.
Former Crossville dentist Dr. John Stites was a member of the Cumberland Co. Board of Health in 1990 and said he went one day to see the condition of the building and document it. Stites, an amatuer photographer, took a series of photos with color slide film. Stites told us he had shared the photos with the members of the board of health at one of their meetings and added that he believed the board voted to condemn the building. Stites said the board didn't really want to see the building torn down but mainly wanted the building cleaned up.
Special thanks to John Stites for sharing these amazing photos.
Palace front in 1990. The sidewalk in front of the theatre was
closed for fear the marquee would fall.
Interior of Palace showing roof with holes and collapsing
balcony
Palace interior
Palace seats and interior
Palace stage area. Before the renovation the stage was
much smaller.
There were a lot of pigeons living in the theatre...
The stairs to the balcony were originally under the balcony at
the rear of the auditorium but collapsed.
Shot of the roof upward showing it full of holes.
Seats that once held moviegoers.
Palace seats
Side door boarded up.
Wow! Reminds me of the Princess in Harriman before it was renovated. The roof was not as bad as this but there was over a foot of water pooled in front of the stage. Roane State Community College along with the city of Harriman and lots of volunteeers succeeded in a beautiful renovation. You should come and visit.
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