Help Restore Kirbyville's Historic Palace Theater

The Kirbyville Palace Theater sustained water damage last month when a portion of the roof caved in. Water entered the theater on one side, causing damage to the ceiling inside the auditorium. Most of the damage was sustained to the roof with the internal damage limited to just one side of the theater.

Kirbyville Area Heritage Society President Vondol Bailey found the damage shortly after it occurred and called in help to cover the roof and brace the ceiling under where the water came through.

The theater is still operational, as the damage was not extensive enough to prevent it from opening for its monthly show. Only a few rows of seating are unavailable until repairs are completed.

The Kirbyville Area Heritage Society has filed a claim with its insurance company and is awaiting a determination. So far, the theater has received an estimate of $60,000 to repair the roof and ceiling.

The Kirbyville Palace Theater is a landmark in Southeast Texas for several reasons. According to The History of Kirbyville, the building founder, R. J. Cooper, moved from Leesville Louisiana to Kirbyville in 1895. He worked for Texas Tram and Lumber Company and then shifted to the grocery business before moving into entertainment.

Cooper’s early entertainment ventures began with the Airdrome, an outdoor movie house, followed by the construction of a two-story opera house on Kelly Street, which eventually became a hotel. The opera house even hosted infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who spent a night there shortly before their deaths in 1934.

By the mid-1920s, Cooper recognized the rising popularity of motion pictures and built the Palace Theater across from his café on Main Street. The theater opened on May 24, 1925, with a seating capacity of 450 opera chairs, and was cooled by two Blizzard fans, making it "the coolest place in town." In June of that year, it featured the film Anna Christie.

The Palace Theater was ahead of its time. Cooper, ever the pioneer, was one of the first in the region to install a Metaphone system for talking pictures, debuting sound films two months before Beaumont. His theater became a center for entertainment in Kirbyville, showcasing the latest in film technology and providing a place for the community to gather.

After decades of operation, Farrell Richard, Cooper's daughter, closed the theater in December 1965. Though it reopened intermittently from 1966 to 1985, it eventually ceased regular operations.

In 1989, the Kirbyville Area Heritage Society purchased the building and has been working to preserve it ever since. The survival of the Palace Theater now depends on donations and performances.

Now in its 35th year, the Kirbyville County Music Show is held every 2nd Saturday of each month. Entertainers take the stage with the Heart of Texas Band to compete for the monthly title of Entertainer of the Month. Every January, the monthly winners are welcomed back to compete for the Entertainer of the Year. Ticket sales from the show help with the maintenance of the building.

The Kirbyville Palace Theatre will celebrate 100 years in May of 2025. The building has survived in a town that has seen tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, theft, vandalism, and a change in ownership. The Kirbyville Area Heritage Society has been a faithful steward, ensuring the building is cared for and preserved. However, the cost of repairs has exceeded the intake of ticket sales for the monthly show and now with damage from the roof, the society is asking for help.

They have created a GoFundMe page for donations to help cover the cost of the repairs to the roof and ceiling. Any additional funds received beyond the necessary repairs will go to the general upkeep and maintenance of the building.

Additionally, the Kirbyville Area Heritage Society is asking for public support for their annual Fall Festival on Main Street on October 19th and the Christmas in the Park at Magnolia Park in Kirbyville on November 30, 2024. Vendor spots are still open for both events.