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Illinois Movie Theatres (page 3)

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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]

Avon Theatre
Decatur, IL		 Lincoln Square Theatre
Decatur, IL
The Avon Theatre opened in 1916 as primarily a movie theatre. It closed in 1986 and reopened for less than a year in 1993. It was restored and reopened in 1999. For more, see this website. [map]

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]

DeKalb Theatre
DeKalb, IL
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]

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]

Majestic Theatre
East St. Louis, IL
The Majestic Theatre opened in 1928 and closed in 1960. The building has been vacant since then. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Wildey Theatre
Edwardsville, IL
The Wildey Theatre opened in 1909 as an opera house. The exterior was remodeled in 1937. The theatre was renovated from 2009-2011 and now features live performances as well as movies. For more, see this website. [map]

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