Theatres designed in the early 20th century featured deep stages for vaudeville and other live entertainment. When silent movies became popular, vaudeville acts frequently preceded the movie, so the deep stages were still necessary. With the advent of talking pictures, the movie industry narrowed the stages and developed flashy, exotic interiors. Paramount Pictures began to build theatres with increasingly dramatic interior spaces specifically for showing movies. The Paramount was built in 1931 in Aurora, at the peak of this opulent movie palace trend. It was designed by George and C.W. Rapp, architects of the Chicago Theatre as well as the Rialto Theatre in Joliet. The Paramount underwent a $2.9 million renovation in 1978, and continues life as a prestigious regional cultural attraction.
The auditorium is designed to feel like an outdoor performance space. Painted fabric murals imply distant vistas, while a plaster medallion and petal chandelier are set in a sky-blue ceiling accented with stylized silver rays extending from the center. The exterior makes lavish use of multi-colored decorative terra cotta, especially emphasizing the unusual lowered entry.
The Paramount Park existed from 1930 to 1934[.] It contained paths, a pond, garden, and miniature golf. It was a restful retreat area open only to theatre patrons. In November 1987 the space was re-dedicated as Sesquicentennial Park. The sculpture, "City Lights, City Life," by Chicago artist Jerry Peart, is its central feature.
This image of the Paramount Theatre was taken shortly after its opening in September 1931. Paramount Park, the area to the west of the Parmount's entrance, offered a respite for theatre patrons. It existed at the site from 1930-1934.
Photo Courtesy of the Aurora Historical Society
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This property has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of Interior
March 18, 1980
Plaque donated by the family of
Gerald C. Klose
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Paramount Arts Centre
1931
Architects - George and C.W. Rapp
Art Deco Theater with Terra Cotta
Ornamentation.
Listed in the National Register of
Historic Places, 1980.
(Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Man-Made Features) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Golden Gate Lanes, El Cerrito's only bowling alley was located near here. Other summer staples included Bardon's Fruit Market, Betsy's Kitchen and Big Boys Barbecue, Motorcycle Hill, the Whoopie Bumps, and Peek-a-Boo Park, an early auto-court (motel).
From 1846 to the 1970’s, forty-four school districts served the educational needs of the children of Gillespie County. This marker honors the history of public education in Gillespie County and the Vereins Kirche, the first public school established in 1847 by the Adelsverein. Johann Leyendecker served as the first teacher.
Born and educated in Plattenhardt, Germany. Came to Texas in 1846 and settled in Gillespie County. He became the second school teacher of the Vereins Kirche. He was also involved in the development of Gillespie County by serving as county surveyor, county commissioner, school inspector, organized several schools where he also taught school plus was a music teacher.
During Fredericksburg’s 150th anniversary, we celebrate the enduring friendship between the Comanche Nation and the people of Gillespie County.
c. 1828
Established in 1917 as part of the esteemed General Federation of Women's Clubs, The Blue Rock Community Club (BRCC) provided an important social and service-oriented outlet for women. Beginning with just 11 founding members, the Club became an anchor within Brandywine Hundred. Prior to the clubhouse construction in 1928, members met in their homes and other area locations. The cornerstone was laid in 1927 and donated by Jacob Wagner, builder of the clubhouse. In addition to hosting traditional events, educational programs, musical performances, and card parties, the Club also held festivities celebrating Halloween, Christmas, and Independence Day. The Club raised money and donations for the needy during the Great Depression, then worked with the Red Cross during World War II sponsoring blood drives. A tireless advocate for practical community needs and issues of statewide importance, the BRCC supported the construction of safe sidewalks and lobbied for the recognition of "Delaware Day" in 1933. The women also organized an international committee providing charitable initiatives for global issues. Speakers and lectures on a wide variety of issues rounded out it diverse selection of programs and events during the ensuing decades. By the 1990s, the Club's membership declined as increasing numbers of women entered the workforce. The building was sold, with remaining members meeting at local churches to conduct activities, lectures, and award college scholarships. Eventually, BRCC members merged with other local women's clubs to continue their community and charitable efforts.
Rough cut
Near this site..."an eminence near McKennan's Church", the Continental forces took position against a British detachment encamped a half-mile away near Mill Town sent as a decoy, while the main body of the British army marched north to Kennett Square and the Battle of Brandywine.
A Stone on the facade inscribed with the initials "I.M" and a date of "1789" suggests that construction of this dwelling occurred during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period of early industrialization in Delaware. Evidence of a stone house on this property does not appear until tax assessments of 1816-1817. William Montgomery, a farmer and War of 1812 veteran for whom the house is named, first owned the property and lived there with his wife, Jane and their seven children as early as 1805. The family resided in the home until William's death in 1838 at the age of 68. Located in an area of Mill Creek Hundred formerly referred to as "Milltown," the house is a well-preserved example of "Penn Plan" style architecture popular in the Pennsylvania and Delaware colonies until the mid-18th century. First recommended by William Penn to colonists in the late 17th century, the dougle-cell plan features two rooms with a separate stair hall. The use of the Penn Plan during the second decade of the 19th century is unusual and suggests an adherence to traditions characteristic of the Delaware Valley region. Due to its construction into a natural bank, one of the home's principal facades sits one story higher than the other. The properthy also features a small barn, frame well house, and the remains of a mill race, all of which date from the mid-19th century. A frame wing was added to the house in the mid-20th century by A.Felix and Marka DuPont, who owned the property at the time. The William Montgomery House was named to the National Register of Historic Places in July 1988 and was a recipient of the New Castle County Historic Preservation Award due to the efforts of Norman and
Gayle Davis, longtime owners of the property.
