06.27.2023

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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

Sign of the times

The mysterious vanishing of the Paramount Theatre’s 1930s-era sign

The Paramount Theater sign, as seen from the street below.

The Paramount Theatre’s sign is less than one decade old, but is modeled after a sign that mysteriously disappeared in the 1960s. | Photo by ATXtoday

When the Downtown Paramount Theatre was completed, Charlie Chaplin was leading the box offices, Gov. James Edward Ferguson had just come into office, and Austin’s population was 32,000 people.

Boy, how things have changed. But today, the Paramount is still alive and well, with a stacked lineup of comedy sets, screenings, and concerts.

There’s more history than we could share in one sitting about this theater, but today, we’re telling you a mystery story surrounding the theater’s most iconic visual element: its sign.

ATX_MajesticTheatre — When the Paramount Theatre was first constructed, it was known as the Majestic Theatre.
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Photo via University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, Texas Historical Commission.

Vanished

The Paramount Theatre — initially named the Majestic Theatre — was completed in 1915 at a cost of $150,000. The building was designed by renowned architect John Eberson, who built more than 1,200 theaters in his lifetime. Today, the Paramount is one of fewer than 25 that remain.

The Paramount Theatre we know and love came to be in the 1930s, when the building was remodeled to have an art deco look, a sound system, air conditioning, and most notably, the iconic blade sign out front.

The sign hung proudly until the 1960s, when it was removed to be repaired. Somewhere along the way, it vanished.

To this day, it’s possible no one knows where the sign is. Some people allege it’s in a field outside San Antonio or laying in a Fort Worth junkyard. Another rumor claims Seattle’s Paramount Theatre poached it for its own.

The Paramount Sign, slowly lighting up one letter at a time. — Signmakers were able to recreate the sign’s animation using a video of Lyndon B. Johnson parading down Congress Avenue.
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Gif by ATXtoday

The sign today

The Paramount’s current sign is less than a decade old, but its based entirely on photos and video of the 1930s-era sign.

It’s 47 ft high and lit with 1,386 LED lamps. The animation of the lights — which light up one letter at a time, spelling “Paramount” — was deduced using a video of Lyndon B. Johnson parading down Congress Avenue in 1962.

The new sign was hung and lit to honor the theater’s 100th anniversary in 2015.

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Events

Tuesday, June 27

Dan Whitaker | Tuesday, June 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Free | Sit back and enjoy live music at this brewery, which ATXtoday readers voted their favorite in Austin.
Moules À Volonté | Tuesday, June 27-Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 5-10 p.m. | Carpenter Hotel, 400 Josephine St., Austin | $30 | Indulge in bottomless mussels and fries offered on Tuesdays all summer long.

Wednesday, June 28

Cooldown Running Austin Meetup | Wednesday, June 28 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Better Half Coffee and Cocktails, 406 Walsh St., Austin | Free | Join Cooldown Running for a 1-3 mile run (or walk) with good company and post-run drinks.
KUTX 10th Birthday Concert Series: Bayonne | Wednesday, June 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Parish, 501 Brushy St., Austin | $18 | This minimalist composer and electronic musician will perform in his home city.

Thursday, June 29

Take My Hand | Thursday, June 29 | 6-9 p.m. | Carpenter Coffee Bar, 400 Josephine St., Austin | $40 | Enjoy a 15-minute reading at this palmistry residency with Sister Palm.
“Box” | Thursday, June 29-Saturday, July 8 | Times vary | Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd., Ste. #122, Austin | $16-$26 | Experience the harrowing story of Henry Box Brown, the abolitionist lecturer and early magician who escaped slavery by mailing himself to freedom.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Stay safe out there, Austin. ERCOT issued another Weather Watch for extreme heat this week, lasting from now until Friday, June 30. Remember to hydrate and conserve energy where you can. (KVUE)

Legacy

John Goodenough, acclaimed UT professor and Nobel Prize winner, died this weekend at the age of 100. The inventor is remembered for his work developing lithium-ion batteries, which are now used to power smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. (Austin Business Journal)

Edu

AISD approved a $2.1 billion budget for its upcoming school year, setting aside $64 million for employee raises. The budget — which also has a $52 million deficit — accounts for a $20 per hour minimum pay rate, plus a 7% increase in salary for teachers, counselors, and librarians. (Austin American-Statesman)

Coming Soon

Flor Xakali, a new tasting menu service from the team behind James Beard Award-winning Nixta Taqueria, will launch on Wednesday, July 5. Try the 12-seat, omakase-style meal at the East Austin restaurant for $125 per person. (Eater Austin)

Real Estate

We all know Tesla makes cars, but did you know it makes roofs, too? This $8.1 million West Austin home is the first in the city to install a Tesla solar roof, which is designed to generate energy without detracting from aesthetics. (Austin Home)

Biz

Austin teenagers will now be able to request Uber rides and food delivery using a new special service launched locally by the app yesterday. Under the program, parents or guardians can make an account for their teen and stay updated on their orders. (KXAN)

Opening

A 110-room boutique hotel in a historic stretch of buildings in Fredericksburg will open in January 2024. The Albert Hotel is slated to have a full-service spa, pool, two bars, and not one, but three restaurants. (Eater Austin)

Eat

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay may bring his burger restaurant to Austin. The team behind the chain, which currently has six US locations, said the Capital City is a potential candidate for the franchise’s expansion. (Austin Business Journal)

Sports

The Round Rock Express is about to launch a delicious new partnership with a beloved local business: Round Rock Donuts. Stop by Dell Diamond on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 to see the minor league baseball team decked out in donut-themed branding. (Austin Monthly)

Shop

We’re excited to introduce, Trailblazing Love, the newest brand added to our online store (Six & Main). From camping to coastal adventures, this local business inspires couples to explore the world and nurture their relationships through outdoor-based activity boxes. Shop the perfect activity box now.

Travel

Wanna save 40-90% on flights? Sign up for Going — a free travel membership — and you can browse deals immediately (like a $300+ round trip to Barcelona).*

Cause

There’s always money in the lemonade stand

Austinites open lemonade stands to support local nonprofit Foster Village

A group of four children crowded around a lemonade stand with a sign reading "Support Foster Village $1"

Local families are setting up lemonade stands to support Foster Village this month. | Photo provided by Foster Village

Austinites have until the end of this week to support local foster families through Foster Village’s annual fundraiser, Growing the Village is Sweet.

The Dripping Springs-based nonprofit supports foster families by sharing resources, connecting families to build a system of support, and advocating for foster families in the community.

The event earns funding for the nonprofit in a particularly summer-like way: lemonade stands.

In addition to lemonade, some Austinites are even selling lemonade-themed items (think: bath bombs, seltzers, and donuts).

To support their efforts, keep an eye out for a lemonade stand in your neighborhood or visit participating businesses like Fitzhugh Brewing, Flight Ice Creams, or the Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room.

If you’d like to support foster families after the event, Foster Village accepts help year-round in the form of volunteering and donations.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

As a brand-new homeowner, I’m learning a lot about lawn care, and fast. Before I make a grave mistake with my grass or trees, do you have any tips for me for maintaining a yard during the summer?

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