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Illinois Movie Theatres (page 7)

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Skokie Theatre
Skokie, IL
The Skokie Theatre opened around 1915 as the Niles Center Theatre. It was renamed and remodeled in the 1940s. In 2005, the theatre was converted into a concert venue. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Southtown Theatre
Springfield, IL		 Arcada Theatre
St. Charles, IL
The Southtown Theatre opened in 1915 as the Empress Theatre. It was remodeled and renamed the Southtown in 1938. The theatre closed in 1959. It has housed Walch Studio Stained Glass since 1981. The facade was restored and neon repaired in 2007. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

The Arcada Theatre was designed by Elmer F. Behrns and opened in 1926 as a vaudeville theatre. It was remodeled and restored in the 1940s and 1960s. In 1973, the original organ was restored. In 1993, the Arcada was restored to its original appearance. In 2005, it became a performing arts center. These photos are from 2009. By 2012, the sign had been repainted and the readerboard replaced with a digital display. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Elmo Theatre
St. Elmo, IL
The Elmo Theatre opened in 1941, replacing a previous theatre with the same name that was destroyed by a fire in 1940. The theatre has been closed since 1979. Renovation work began in 2006. For more, see this website. [map]

Sterling Theatre
Sterling, IL
The Sterling Theatre was built in 1924 as a vaudeville venue. In 1943, it suffered extensive fire damage and was rebuilt. The theatre closed in 2008. It reopened in 2013. For more, see this website. [map]

Majestic Theatre
Streator, IL
The Majestic Theatre was designed by Rapp & Rapp and built in 1907 as a vaudeville house. It was modeled after the Majestic Theatre in Chicago. It's not clear when the facade was remodeled in the Art Deco style. The theatre closed from 1927-1936. It reopened and closed again from 1957-1968. It then operated until 1995 when it was nearly demolished. After restoration work, it reopened in 2007 with films and live performances. By 2014, the theatre closed again and was for sale. It is currently vacant. For more, see this website. [map]

Taylorville Cinema
Taylorville, IL		 Cinema Theatre
Urbana, IL		 Liberty Theatre
Vandalia, IL
The Taylorville Cinema opened in 1946 as the Frisnia Theatre. The theatre was twinned at some point. The plastic sign which appears to be from the 1970s or so was most likely added at the same time. For more, see this website. [map]

The Cinema Theatre opened as the Princess Theatre in 1915. The building itself was constructed in the 1870s and there was originally an opera house there. In 1934, the theatre was completely remodeled in the Art Deco style. In 1949, a new marquee was added. In 1966, it became the Cinema Theatre. The theatre closed in 1994 and the lobby was converted into the Cinema Cafe. Since 2001, the theatre has been used as an art gallery and office space. For more, see this website. [map]

The Liberty Theatre opened around 1910 as the Dixie Theatre. It was remodeled in the 1930s and renamed the Liberty Theatre. The theatre has been closed since 2008. For more, see this website. [map]

Watseka Theatre
Watseka, IL
The Watseka Theatre opened in 1931 and closed in 1998. In 2007, a new owner began restoring the theatre to its original appearance. It is now known as the Watseka Theatre / Iroquois Performing Arts Center. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Wheaton Grand Theatre
Wheaton, IL
The Wheaton Grand Theatre opened in 1925. It closed in the late 1990s. It reopened in 2002 and closed in 2006. A new owner in 2012 planned to restore the theatre. These photos are from then. By 2016, the signs readerboards had been replaced with plastic panels. The theatre remains vacant. For more, see this website. [map]

Mar Theatre
Wilmington, IL
The Mar Theatre opened in 1937. In the late 1990s, a second auditorium was created out of upstairs storage space. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

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