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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. It was rebuilt and reopened as the New Orpheum Theatre in 1914. This theatre was designed by Rapp & Rapp and inspired by the Salle de la Spectacle in Versailles, France. The Orpheum began showing movies in the 1920s. The facade was remodeled and a new sign built in 1967. The theatre struggled in the 1970s and 1980s and the building was nearly demolished. In 1994, the lobby and storefronts found a new use as a children's science museum. The auditorium is currently being restored, however, not as a movie theatre. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Boardman's Art Theatre
Champaign, IL
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. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Virginia Theatre
Champaign, IL
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. These photos are from 2009. 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
The Will Rogers Theatre opened in 1938. It was twinned at some point. The adjacent shops are faced with the same style terra cotta tile. These photos are from 2006. The theatre closed in 2010. In 2012, new owners began restoration work. 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

Fischer Theatre
Danville, IL
The Fischer Theatre opened in 1884 as the Grand Opera House. It was remodeled in 1912 and renamed the Fischer Theatre. The theatre had been closed since 1982. It reopened in 2019 with films, live performances, and private events. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Lincoln Square Theatre
Decatur, IL		 DeKalb Theatre
DeKalb, IL
The Lincoln Square Theatre opened in 1916, featuring live theater, concerts, opera, vaudeville, and silent films. In the early 1960s, the front of the building was damaged by a fire next door. The top floor was removed at that time. It closed in 2017 and reopened in 2022 with live performances. For more, see this website. [map]

The DeKalb Theatre opened in 1949 and billed itself as the "Theatre of Tomorrow." It was twinned in the early 1980s. From 1984-1988, it was converted for use as a brew pub, the "Box Office Brewery and Restaurant." It was the "El Charro" Mexican restaurant and, later the same year, the "La Quinta de los Reyes" restaurant. The building now houses the Debutantes School, a beauty school. For more, see this website. [map]

More Decatur:
Avon Theatre

Egyptian Theatre
DeKalb, IL
The Egyptian Theatre was designed by Elmer F. Behrns and opened in 1929. There are Egyptian Revival details inside the theatre. It is one of the best examples of the style in the country. The theatre now features live events as well as films. These photos are from 2007. The theatre has been restored since then. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Des Plaines Theatre
Des Plaines, IL		 Tivoli Theatre
Downers Grove, IL
The Des Plaines Theatre opened as a vaudeville house in 1926. It was remodeled and became a movie house in 1935. In 1982, a fire nearly destroyed the theater, but it was reopened a couple years later as a twin. The Des Plaines was renovated in 1998. For a few years, the theatre has primarily shown East Indian films. It closed in 2008 and then reopened as a performing arts venue. In 2010, renovations began to restore the theatre to a single auditorium. It reopened in 2011 and then closed in 2014. In 2018, the City purchased the theatre. In 2019, the marquee was removed. It was replaced with a replica. In 2021, the theatre reopened with live performances and films. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

The Tivoli Theatre opened in 1928 and was one of the first theatres in the country with sound. The marquee was replaced in the 1960s. The original Wurlitzer organ was sold but, in 1992, another one from the Indiana Theater in East Chicago, IN was installed. The Tivoli has been restored several times. It now features films and live performances. For more, see this website. [map]

Grand Theatre
Du Quoin, IL
I believe the Grand Theatre was built in the 1920s. These photos are from 2010. The theatre has been closed since 2016. For more, see this website. [map]

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