George Fritz, a Lockport businessman took his video camera out in April and captured what is perhaps, one of the most notable landmarks in the city—the Palace Theater. “I remember when I used to go there when I was a kid with my sister Charlotte, we’d go see cartoons,” recalled George.

It was built in 1925 and is a replica of the Paramount Theater in New York City. The interior is, in itself, a work of art. “It was so awesome walking in, I probably spent as much time looking up at the ceiling with the beautiful murals, and the scrollwork, and the brass as I did looking at the cartoons.”

The first movie to play at the Palace was Cecil B. DeMille’s original silent film, “The Ten Commandments, “Now, it’s become a real focal point for the community,” George notes. Today, the Palace is being used for theater productions and musical events.

Recently, the city was in danger of losing this coveted landmark. “We were faced with the challenge of raising $300,000 in two and a half months without any real opportunity to plan for the fundraising. And it’s such an amazing story because really all of Western New York came together and raised that money saving it for future generations.”

The Palace Theater, just one part of Our Town—Lockport.