The Paramount Theater in Salem, designed by the esteemed Rapp & Rapp architectural firm from Chicago, opened its doors on April 19, 1930, under the Publix Theater brand. Originally intended to open in 1928, construction delayed its debut. Known for its opulent Rococo and French Renaissance style, the theater featured Louis XV-inspired furniture and a color scheme of ivory, blue, coral green, and gold. Seating 2,187 patrons—1,764 on the main floor and 423 in the balcony—the theater was one of the first in the area to offer air conditioning. Additionally, it was specially designed to accommodate “talkies,” although it also hosted notable live performances over the years.

Inside, the walls were adorned with eight large murals styled after French artists Fragonard, Watteau, and Boucher, while the seats were upholstered in green mohair. The theater’s large balcony, bordered by a brass railing, was initially designated as a smoking area. A prominent feature was the 16-ton Wurlitzer organ with 1,400 pipes, installed in July 1930, one of only nine made by the Wurlitzer Company for theaters. This organ became a beloved part of the theater experience, often used for sing-alongs between double features, and played during visits by famous performers like Ted Lewis, Louis Armstrong, and Chico Marx.

In 1940, the Paramount hosted the world premiere of “The House of the Seven Gables” starring George Sanders, Margaret Lindsay, and Vincent Price, a major event for the Salem community. However, by the 1950s, the theater’s popularity began to wane as television rose in prominence and film rental costs increased. With fewer patrons attending, the large seating capacity became a financial burden. First-run films became too costly, and the theater increasingly relied on reruns, which attracted smaller audiences. The last movie shown was  “Midnight Cowboy”, marking the end of an era.

The Paramount closed in 1970, and in 1971 it was demolished during an urban renewal phase to make way for a new indoor mall. Fortunately, the Wurlitzer organ was sold for $5,500 to a restaurant in Seattle called Pizza & Pipes, where it continued to entertain patrons until the restaurant closed in the 1980s. Although the Paramount was never repurposed as a performing arts center, it remains cherished in memory as a grand and elegant cultural landmark that served Salem’s community for decades.