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Illinois Movie Theatres (page 4)

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Heart Theatre
Effingham, IL
The Heart Theatre opened in 1941 and closed in 2002. It reopened in 2003 and then closed again in 2007. It has been vacant since then. Since 2022, a new owner has been actively working with the community towards having the theatre restored. For more, see this website. [map]

York Theatre
Elmhurst, IL		 Evanston Theatre [gone]
Evanston, IL
The York Theatre was designed by Elmer F. Behrns in a Spanish style and opened in 1924. The interior and exterior were updated in 1938 by Roy B. Blass in the Art Moderne style. The marquee canopy contains 1,000 lightbulbs and 1,000 feet of neon. Although it was triplexed in 1982, the interior was mostly preserved. In 1991, the interior was returned to its original Spanish style and the Barton pipe organ was restored. In 1993 and 2004, more screens were added bringing the total to nine. The Theatre Historical Society of America is located on the second floor of the building. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

The Evanston Theatre opened in 1937 as the Stadium Theater. From the late 1940s into the 1950s, the Stadium featured stage shows instead of movies. In 1956, it was changed back to a movie house. The theatre was remodeled in 1969 and renamed the Evanston. In the early 1980s, the theatre was split into five auditoriums and renamed the Evanston 5 Theaters. Business suffered when the 18-screen Century Cinemas opened nearby and the Evanston closed in 2001. There was talk of turning the theatre into a performing arts center. This photo is from 2006. The theatre was demolished in 2007. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Town Theatre
Flora, IL

2010:
2024:
The Town Theatre opened in 1951 and closed in 2012. It reopened in 2014. In 2021, the theatre was donated to a non-profit group and renovations began in 2022. The neon on the front of the marquee was replaced with LED tubing. In 2023, it reopened as the Nostalgia Theatre which features live entertainment and community events. For more, see this website. [map]

Geneva:
Geneva Theatre [map]

Glen Art Theatre
Glen Ellyn, IL
The Glen Art Theatre opened in the early 1920s. It was designed by William B. Betts. The theatre originally featured live stage acts. Movies were added later. There are now four screens. For more, see this website. [map]

Havana:
Lawford Theatre

Annex Theatre
Herrin, IL
The Annex Theatre was built in 1919. The building has housed a coffee shop since around 2000. From 2023-2024, it housed Stemm's Cafe and Coffee Shoppe. The building is currently vacant. [map]

Orpheum Theatre
Hillsboro, IL
The Orpheum Theatre opened in the 1920s as the Fellis Theatre. It was renamed the Orpheum in 1929. This blade sign was probably installed then. The marquee below was added later. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Lorraine Theatre
Hoopeston, IL

2009:
2024:
The Lorraine Theatre opened in 1922. The canopy marquee sign was added in 1930. It closed in 2012 and renovations have been taking place since then. The theatre is expected to reopen in 2025. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

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