Our History
In 1949 Helen Quimby commissioned renowned Fort Wayne architect A.M. Strauss to draw up plans for The Clyde Theatre in Quimby Village in honor of her husband, Clyde Quimby. Clyde Quimby owned considerable business property in the region and owned or leased the Emboyd (now Embassy), Jefferson, Palace, and Strand Theatres. A.M. Strauss’s other famous building designs in the region include the Embassy Theatre, Indiana Hotel, Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, and the Lincoln Bank Tower.
On April 19, 1951, the theater began its life as a 1,782-seat movie house, bringing in patrons from all over the region for first dates, family outings, and a glimpse of Hollywood glamour here in Fort Wayne. Years passed, and after changing its name, closing down for a while, and reopening briefly as a house of worship, the venue gradually fell into disuse and disrepair. That is, until a few passionate locals saw its potential.
Our Venue, Reimagined
Thanks to the generosity of Chuck and Lisa Surack of Sweetwater Sound, along with the support of countless community partners, The Clyde Theatre underwent an incredible $9 million renovation in 2017 and 2018, transforming the stunning historic venue from a forgotten treasure to a state-of-the-art performance hall and event center.
Who We Are Today
Taking inspiration from all the amazing venues we’ve ever been to, the design team at The Clyde revitalized the interior with art deco details and fresh, modern elements. Thanks to our recent renovation, The Clyde has been built to provide the absolute best live music and private event experience for both artists and guests.
These improvements extended beyond our walls, with an expansion and repaving of our brightly lit parking lot, new digital signage, an updated marquee, and brand-new restaurant right next door — The Club Room at The Clyde.
21,000-square-foot main performance hall with room for nearly 2,000 guests and a spacious lobby with bar
2nd-floor premier seating gallery
Upscale accommodations for national touring artists
New updates: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, acoustical treatments, roof, and executive offices
State-of-the-art sound system featuring loudspeakers, subwoofers, line arrays, and stage monitoring provided by JBL and VTX, plus two Avid Venue S6L-192 consoles
A comprehensive lighting system built on Eurotruss and Stage Maker trussing with Martin, MA Lighting, and Chauvet fixtures
