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Illinois Movie Theatres (page 2)

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Orpheum Theatre
Champaign, IL
The Orpheum Theatre was built in 1904 as a vaudeville house. In 1914, it was rebuilt and reopened as the New Orpheum Theatre. In the 1920s, operating as the Orpheum, it began showing movies. In 1967, the facade was covered with aluminum siding (later removed) and this sign was added. From 1994-2020, the building housed a children's science museum. It now houses the Orpheum Champaign, an event and wedding venue. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Boardman's Art Theatre
Champaign, IL

2009:
2024:
Boardman's Art Theatre opened as the Park Theatre in 1913 and closed in 1958. It was reopened that same year by the Art Theatre Guild as the Art Theatre. It operated as an adult movie house from the late 1960s until closing in 1986. In 1987, the theatre was renovated and reopened as the New Art Theatre. It closed again in 2003 but reopened shortly thereafter as Boardman's Art Theatre. It has been closed since 2019. The sign's neon was replaced with LED tubing. The marquee below the sign also has LED tubing and the front readerboard was replaced with a plastic panel and stuck-on plastic letters. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Virginia Theatre
Champaign, IL

2009:
2024:
The Virginia Theatre opened in 1921 with live performances and silent films. In 1929, the theater began showing pictures with sound. It continued hosting vaudeville acts into the 1940s. The theatre was remodeled in 1955 with a new ticket booth, front doors and lobby. It closed in 1992 and soon thereafter began presenting stage productions. In 2000, restoration work began while the theatre remained open. The Virginia now features film festivals, live performances, and special events. During a 2010 restoration, the 1940s marquee sign was removed. It has been replaced with a replica of the original sign. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

Will Rogers Theatre
Charleston, IL

2006:
2024:
The Will Rogers Theatre opened in 1938. The adjacent shops are faced with the same style terra cotta tile. The theatre was twinned in 1984. It has been closed since 2010. In 2012, new owners planned to restore the theatre but nothing has been done yet. For more, see this website. [map]

Chicago Heights:
former Nortown Theatre [map]

Town Theatre
Chillicothe, IL		 Olympic Theatre
Cicero, IL
The Town Theatre opened in 1920 as the Sunset Theatre. It was remodeled and renamed the Town in 1946. The theatre was twinned in 1982. For more, see this website. [map]

The Olympic Theatre opened in 1927 as a ballroom. In 1939, it was converted into a movie theatre. It closed in 1993. It reopened a few times, briefly, and was used for live performances for a few years. This photo is from 2001. It reopened as a movie theatre and live performance venue in 2008. The sign and marquee were replaced. It has been closed since 2018. For more, see this website. [map]

Colfax:
Colonial Theatre [gone]

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