After wrapping up the Ohio leg of our Midwest Tour, our travels took us through Indiana. There, at a freeway interchange just outside of Indianapolis, is an unassuming small cemetery. A fitting symbol, as just around the bend lie the remains of the once grand and much beloved Paramount Music Palace. Much like the Organ Grinder, the PMP took things to a new level, with a massive pipe organ, an equally massive kitchen, and room for multiple tour-buses full of patrons.
Last fall, we interviewed Bob MacNeur, co-founder of the Palace, about his experiences. We visited the Indianapolis location to capture various “then and now” images which will be used in the documentary.
There are very few landmarks left for comparison – the traffic light masts remain (although the signal heads have moved), as well as the car dealer sign across the street. Any evidence of the Paramount’s signage and building is now gone. Roughly in the building’s place is a modern structure, housing a dive shop.
While filming the graveyard, a woman drove up and asked what it was for, and after explaining, she vividly recalled the Palace when it had opened. She once lived in the house adjacent to the small cemetery, and said that cars would be lined up for blocks, parking in people’s yards and driveways, because the place was so busy!
Thanks to Jake’s Fireworks for the use of their parking lot for a couple of hours, where it was necessary to stand to get exactly the right angle to match the original photo.
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