By 1990 The Palace Theatre was crumbling; it had no roof, no seats, and had become quite an eyesore in Crossville’s downtown. Hardly the “Jewel of Main Street,” as was its nickname, and 58 years removed from the glittering 1938 world-premiere when Crossvillians screened “If I Were King” starring Ronald Colman and Basil Rathbone.
Since that glamorous opening, the three-story movie palace, featuring its Art Deco style and local Crab Orchard Stone, operated as a first-run theater until the 1970s. It is still a regular occurrence to have Crossvillians come by The Palace and reflect on the movies they saw there as children, paying a nickel or dime for admission.