The Georgetown Palace Theater
Our History
Georgetown Palace Theatre, Inc. (GPTI), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of preserving, restoring, enhancing, and maintaining the Palace Theatre as a state-of-the-art performing arts center and meeting facility for Williamson County. Located at 810 South Austin Avenue in Georgetown, Texas (about 25 miles north of Austin), the Palace was built in 1925 by A. C. Moore of Bartlett, Texas. A grand opening in February of 1926 brought silent films to this new community gathering place, followed three years later by the wonder of "talkies." The first showing of a film with sound in November of 1929 was so successful that the Williamson County Sun reported ".the new theatre was marked by record-breaking attendance, standing room not even being available Monday night." (Sun, November 15, 1929)
The buff brick exterior of the original building became the present Art Deco facade in 1936 during remodeling done by Mr. & Mrs. O. A. Englebrecht, who owned the theatre from 1927 until 1968. The stucco exterior of 1936 brought a major distinction to the Palace: it is reported by the Georgetown Heritage Society to be the only building of the Art Deco period found in Georgetown.
From its grand opening in 1926 to its eventual closing in late 1989, the Palace Theatre became the oldest continuously operated movie theatre in the same building in Williamson County.
A palace of dreams. That was what the local movie house represented to young people in Georgetown... Without the Palace, it is hard to imagine what would have sparked the creative and questing urges of thousands of youngsters who grew up here during the Depression, World War II, and the drought-plagued 50s.
(Williamson County Sunday Sun, editorial page, December 23, 1990)
Formation of Georgetown Palace Theatre, Inc.
By 1989, owner Jack Hall was faced with declining revenues, outdated systems and equipment, and 20 new competing movie screens just ten to fifteen miles away in Round Rock and Pflugerville. Mr. Hall ran out of choices and put the property up for sale. Many folks in Georgetown were saddened by the realization that a once-proud Austin Avenue landmark might forever lose its identity when the property was sold.
In December of 1990, a group of concerned citizens formed Georgetown Palace Theatre, Inc., to save this historic theatre for Williamson County. In just one short week, this group met the challenge of raising the initial $10,000 down payment. In January of 1991, spurred on by the amazing success of securing the down payment and closing on the purchase, the group quickly addressed the need for an additional $10,000 for operating expenses and equipment for the theatre. Their success was again immediate. To honor their participation at a critical time, the names of the 200-plus charter members whose gifts got this amazing venture started are listed on two plaques, Gold and Silver. These plaques hang once again in the lobby in the restored and enhanced Palace Theatre. By January 5, 1991, the monumental task of cleanup began. The efforts of more than 70 hardworking citizens, who became known as The Palace Guard, went into this endeavor, achieved through almost 600 hours of difficult, dirty work. A plaque also honors this corps of important Palace volunteers.
In a little more than 90 days, the Palace Theatre was given back to the people of Williamson County through the cash donations, volunteer efforts, and hard work of fewer than 300 concerned folks.
Georgetown Palace Theatre, Inc.
- A non-profit community performing arts facility
- We accept Visa and Mastercard over the phone
P.O. Box 1516
Georgetown, TX 78627
512-869-7469