It opened December 10, 1928 as part of the Kallet chain of movie houses, presenting first run films until it closed in 1974.

After extensive renovation, the theatre re-opened in 1985 as the non-profit Capitol Civic Center, offering classic films, live theatrical performances, and concerts.

Early movie theaters in Rome in the 20th century consisted of nickelodeons: the Idle Hour, the Casino and the Romohawk, which were located downtown.

The property for the new theater on West Dominick street was sold to the Kallets and Commerford Companies by the owner, John R. Harper.

[4] Although the apartments were not in the final construction, and the number of store-fronts was reduced to two instead of four, the auditorium design remained largely intact.

Spanish-Moroccan plasterwork was incorporated into the theater's design, and colors of gold, green, blue, and browns were dominant in the lobby, foyer and auditorium's paint scheme.

The two spotlights and one slide projector made by the Chicago Equipment Company and installed in the booth are still there in the 21st century.

More than fifty people lined up in the cold an hour before the box office opened at 5:30 PM to be sure to get a ticket.

The opening night program consisted of Mrs. Arthur Seth Evans singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" while a slide-show of the lyrics were projected on the curtains.

[8] Following the dedication was the film show of a newsreel accompanied by Mr. Bancroft, and two Vitaphone shorts—"The Lash" and "Those Pullman Porters".

[8] Although equipped for live acts, the Capitol operated primarily as a movie house for the next 46 years.

For a few years in the 1930s, Paramount and RKO unit vaudeville were added to film shows two or three times per week.

New lighting fixtures, wall tapestry, carpeting, seating, and painting complemented the original Spanish-Moorish architecture.

At that time it was purchased, renovated and re-opened as the Capitol Civic Center, Inc., a theatre for the performing arts.