The building was constructed in 1911–1912 to house the Society of Mutual Assistance for Trade and Industrial Service Labor in Penza, or the Penza Auxiliary Society of Trade and Industrial Employees, colloquially known as the Society of Clerks. The society had a club where cultural and educational events were held. For example, in 1913–1914, lectures on literature were given here by the poet and playwright F. K. Sologub, writer V. G. Bogoraz-Tan, critic P. S. Kogan, and the future People's Commissar of Education V. P. Potemkin. Concerts were performed by the famous singer of Russian folk songs and Gypsy romances M. P. Komarova, and balalaika players from the Obolensky factory in the village of Nikolo-Pestrovka (now the city of Nikolsk).
Here, the actress of the Saint Petersburg Theater A. A. Arabelskaya, the troupe of the Moscow Maly Theater, and others showcased their skills. On February 19, 1915, the building opened the electric theater "Olimp," which also had a summer cinema area in the garden; alongside film screenings, plays and concerts continued to be held.
In 1917, the building of "Olimp" housed the Penza Society for the Promotion of Extracurricular Education and its children's club. In May 1918, after nationalization, "Olimp" was transferred to the Penza Proletkult. On March 27, 1920, the first workers' club opened there. After the liquidation of Proletkult in 1922, it was handed over for theatrical workshops; in 1923 it was restored as a cinema under the old name, and in 1925 it was transferred by the provincial trade union to the Central Workers' Club. Throughout this time, commercial film rental remained the main source of income for all owners. Later, it mainly operated as a cinema. In 1931, it was renamed "October." In 1932, it was equipped with a sound film system, and in 1958 it was rebuilt for widescreen projection. Starting in 1982, "October" was the first in Penza to show stereoscopic films – yes, the very same 3D movies. In 1984, a documentary film hall was opened in "October."
