A black and white historical image of The Palace Theater

A rich history

The Palace Theatre is the oldest silent movie theater still standing in its original location in Tennessee. The Palace Theater was originally owned and operated by local businessman, Bill Roth, and it thrived as a community theater from 1913 until 1977. During these years, The Palace was a focal point on the historic downtown square.

As the story goes, Roth, who owned a jewelry store before purchasing the theater, planned to leave the jewelry store to his son. He purchased the theater next door as an inheritance for his daughter. Unfortunately, she died before the doors opened.

After Roth died in the early 1990s, John and Sonny Garrott purchased the theater at auction and subsequently donated it to Greater Gallatin, Inc. (now Historic Downtown Gallatin, Inc.) for renovation. The property then was deemed a local historic landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In the early days of cinema, The Palace showed silent movies for a nickel. Bill Roth was known to add his own special effects by breaking glass, blowing horns and drumming.

In the early days of cinema, The Palace showed silent movies for a nickel. Bill Roth was known to add his own special effects by breaking glass, blowing horns and drumming.

The Palace seats are nearly a century old., and the wall sconces are all original, fashioned by Roth from tin and cut glass.

The Palace seats are nearly a century old., and the wall sconces are all original, fashioned by Roth from tin and cut glass.

Chad and Clara Rogan frequented The Palace while growing up during racial segregation in the South. African Americans entered The Palace Theater through a back door and were seated in the balcony. “At that time, everything was the back door. It’s a

Chad and Clara Rogan frequented The Palace while growing up during racial segregation in the South. African Americans entered The Palace Theater through a back door and were seated in the balcony. “At that time, everything was the back door. It’s a feeling I can’t explain… But, I felt we had the best seats in the house,” Clara said. But when The Palace reopened in 2000, Clara and Chad entered through the front door.

Historic Downtown Gallatin, Inc. Executive Director Donna Belote recalled Chad saying, “I’ve lived here all my life and I’ve never seen this.” Clara said she and her husband really enjoyed the theater back in the day. She remembered seeing the 1949

Historic Downtown Gallatin, Inc. Executive Director Donna Belote recalled Chad saying, “I’ve lived here all my life and I’ve never seen this.” Clara said she and her husband really enjoyed the theater back in the day. She remembered seeing the 1949 film “Pinky,” the story of a light-skinned African American woman who falls in love with a white doctor and the 1959 picture, “Imitation of Life." “I loved those movies,” she said.

Bill Roth operated the Palace until 1977. His son Bill Jr. ran it for 10 more years, until he shut it down in 1987. For years, the theater sat padlocked, empty and unkept. Cobwebs draped the plastic poinsettias in the lobby and pigeons called the aud

Bill Roth operated the Palace until 1977. His son Bill Jr. ran it for 10 more years, until he shut it down in 1987. For years, the theater sat padlocked, empty and unkept. Cobwebs draped the plastic poinsettias in the lobby and pigeons called the auditorium home. In 1993, 80 years after its opening, both The Palace and the adjacent Roth Building were sold at auction to Johnny and Sonny Garrott.

The Palace would likely have been demolished if not for the intervention of Historic Downtown Gallatin, Inc. $90,000 in donations were raised and used to stabilize the building. Volunteer efforts were enthusiastic, but as the project dragged on, int

The Palace would likely have been demolished if not for the intervention of Historic Downtown Gallatin, Inc. $90,000 in donations were raised and used to stabilize the building. Volunteer efforts were enthusiastic, but as the project dragged on, interest waned.

By the end of 1995, Greater Gallatin was ready to give up. Hope arrived in the form of a government grant under the Intermodal System Transportation Efficiency Act, which awarded Greater Gallatin $350,000. By the time The Palace and the Roth Building

By the end of 1995, Greater Gallatin was ready to give up. Hope arrived in the form of a government grant under the Intermodal System Transportation Efficiency Act, which awarded Greater Gallatin $350,000. By the time The Palace and the Roth Building reopened November 2000, it is estimated that the two buildings required more than $700,000 in restoration costs.

In November of 2000, The Palace Theater opened the doors to a sold-out crowd, with a showing of "The Kid" (2000). At that time, The Palace served as Gallatin's only cinema. Each week, the screen would come to life with first- and second-run family mo

In November of 2000, The Palace Theater opened the doors to a sold-out crowd, with a showing of "The Kid" (2000). At that time, The Palace served as Gallatin's only cinema. Each week, the screen would come to life with first- and second-run family movies. Greater Gallatin wanted to create a friendly and affordable family experience where you could take a family of four to the movies for only $20, including popcorn, sodas and candy!

in the news

  • Gallatin Police Chief Don Bandy couldn't go to the grocery store without citizens asking when the department would answer Westmoreland Police Department's challenge to create a lip-sync video.

  • Historic Gallatin silent theater believed to be haunted by former owner.

  • Bad roof, rain leave The Palace swimming in financial woes

  • After makeover, Palace sign ready for action

  • New releases blocked at theater

  • Middle Tennessee’s independent movie theaters keep fighting to stay in business—and they just might win

  • The Palace receives $54,000 grant