17. Paramount Theatre - 352 Cypress; Another David S. Castle landmark, the Paramount Theatre. The 3-story theatre features Spanish Colonial Revival features and is best known for the stars and clouds that move across its ceiling. The Paramount was built in 1929/30 by H. O. Wooten, adjacent to and during the same period as his Hotel Wooten. Opening night was May 18, 1930, with the film, Safety in Numbers starring Carole Lombard who was a contemporary Joan Crawford.  In a twist of fate, the estranged father of actress Joan Crawford, Thomas E. LeSUEUR, did most of the ornate plaster work on the interior of the Theatre.  LeSUEUR died, in 1938, in Abilene and is buried at the Abilene City Cemetery.

 

 

David S. Castle's firm also designed the old Abilene High School on South 1st Street (later Lincoln Jr. High) as well as the current Abilene High on North 6th Street. 

Four members of the AHS Class of 1961 worked part-time at the Paramount during their Junior and Senior years; Peggy Johnson, Anita Horton, Dennis Lanham and Logan, who maintained the stars and cloud machine.

 

Click here to visit the Paramount Theatre website.