The Scenic Theatre opened along with the Nickeldome as the town’s first two moving picture parlors in 1908. Hand cranked one reelers with a single projector and songs between was pretty much the programming in both venues. The Nickeldome failed under two operators closing in a year in 1909. The Scenic started on the West Side of Main Street and moved across the street in improved conditions and getting the Paramount Studios film contract to block book its products.The Scenic would get competition from the 1893-opened Columbian Opera House which largely switched to movies during World War I under the operation of Johnson & Phillips in 1914 followed by L.W. Weedman and George Shell in 1915.
In January of 1917, the Kendall family took on the Scenic under the Kendall Theatre nameplate. The theatre had a continuous 54-year run by the Kendall family. It did close in 1930 for remodeling as it transitioned to Moviephone sound - an inferior but cost effective choice - (ad in photos) and an early type of air conditioning. In 1935, they switched to more conventional sound by Motiograph. The Opera House didn’t make the transition to sound and became a lightly used live operation on its way to obsolescence and razing.
The Kendall went widescreen beginning on January 27, 1956 with “Hit the Deck..” The theatre closed on December 17, 1969 ending the Kendall family’s operation. They sublet the venue to George Carroll who reopened it very briefly.
The New Royal Theatre / Royal Theater was at 113 E. Cherokee opening there by Roy E.Heffner on February 19, 1922 with “One Glorious Day” supported by “That Night” - it had moved from 208 N. Maple where it was known as Theatre Royale since 1916. The venue had a Wurlitzer Photoplayer to accompany the silent films.
The theatre scuffled in the Depression unable to convert to sound. Used primarily for non-commercial purposes, it was given a new floor modern sound system, and fireproof projection booth at its reboot on September 26, 1936 with “Walking Dead.” With the opening of the Rainbo, the Royal was used for overflow screenings toward the end of its run closing at the end of 1939.
The Esquire was a post-War African American movie house likely assisted by G.I. funding launching by Jim’s Enterprises on October 18, 1946 with “Frontier Gal.”
This venue became the New Park Theater received a shocking $100,000 makeover in 1948. The fresh by Walter Reade stripped away all of the venue’s original ornate features, losing its box seatings, and even removing its 1939 art deco elements from that update. It reopened on January 15, 1949 and the New Park Theatre. In the 1950s, it was retrofitted for widescreen to present CinemaScope features.
Very technically, this venue closed as the New Park Theater as noted on March 24, 1970 with “Cactus Flower.” It should be listed as New Park Theater and formerly Lyon’s Theatre (not Lyons).
The Florence opened on May 13, 1921 with Pauline Fredrick in “The Mistress of Shenstone.” The under-bridge structure was a multi-purpose addition to an existing building of which the Florence Theatre cost $120,000 to build. Purportedly, the name “Florence” was chosen to mesh with the Italian-centric venue’s clientele. Early ticket sales led to unwanted clientele. The 1,200-seat Florence Theatre was consistently robbed and lots of unsavory activity, to boot. The worst such case of robbery was its fifth in two years on September 23, 1925 when nitro blew a hole in the theatre causing $15,000 and a closed for repairs sign. The most brutal crime was that of patron Herman Kellerman who was gunned down exiting the theatre. That was said to be a gang-related hit in retaliation for the Johnny Spanish gang-related murder in which Kellerman was acquitted… but had a price on his head after leaving the courtroom, according to reports.
The Florence was wired for sound to remain competitive. It had a confectionery selling all forms of candy as the Florence’s de facto concession stand. The theatre booked Paramount Studio productions in a block booking arrangement. The Florence closed during the Depression - likely 1934 - with the neighborhood decidedly Asian. And Italian and English-language films just weren’t cutting it. The trade press purports that Toy Kin-Lee took on the venue renaming it as the New China Theatre in 1935 and then it was purportedly renamed as the New Canton Theatre in 1942. The latter mixed in live Chinese music and live plays, as well.
In 1950, Sun Sing Chinese Theatres Inc. took on the venue on a new leasing agreement with Kung Dee King ordering a major refresh that took seat count from 1,200 to under 1,000. It also came with a name change to the Sun Sing Theatre. In 1953, the venue played 3D films - notably The Gold Hunt / Fortune Hunters (Taojin ji) and A Woman’s Revenge (Yunü Qingchou). In 1954 the Sun Sing went widescreen to present 1.85:1 films with Kin-Lee apparently back operating the venue.
The venue thrived in the chopsocky era of the 1970s. It had its last wave of dollars with the Hong Kong New Wave lasting into the 1990s. It was the site of a major riot in October of 1976 in which - it was claimed in court - that there were more gang members than non-gang patrons. Seems highly possible. Based on nothing other than leasing, the theatre may have closed in 1995. The building was definitely demolished in 1998 but, when the walls collapsed during that project, three workers were trapped inside and injured.
A 1927 J. Mandor Matson architectural exterior sketch is in photos. The proposed name of “Badger” was rejected in favor the Plaza - likely because Community Theatres of Milwaukee took on the project in February just ahead of the opening. Its three manual $8,000 Barton pipe organ was played by local musician, Gladys Krueger on opening night of February 15, 1928.
It’s no great shakes, but the front wall of the old Colony Theatre was not incorporated into this new-build theatre. Also the entry’s text never once mentions the name of the theatre which is an odd choice. “It” was the McHenry Theatre, a new-build theatre that opened on February 9, 1955. In its twin operation, it was most often the McHenry Indoor Theatre 1 & 2 to distinguish it from the popular drive-in theatre. In the C-You operation, it was the McHenry Downtown Theatre for clarity of proximity. etc.
This venue opened as the Princess Theatre on September 1, 1911. John C. Miller moved to a new location reopening the Princess on April 1, 1914. This theatre remained dark from 1914 until reopening just for Saturday and Sunday screenings as the Strand Theatre on March 5, 1916. On August 6, 1916, that ended following Victor Moore in “Chimmie Fadden Out West.” It was closed until further notice.
This venue opened as the Princess Theatre on September 1, 1911. John C. Miller moved to a new location reopening the Princess on April 1, 1914. This theatre remained dark from 1914 until reopening just for Saturday and Sunday screenings as the Strand Theatre on March 5, 1916.
The Avalon Theatre closed with a four-wall on March 2, 1969 with “The Restless Ones.” It’s next ad said that the Avalon was closed and programming would seasonally shift to the Midway Drive-In with instructions to wait for the reopening announcement. In 2026, we are starting to doubt that reopening.
The Henry Opera House was built in 1913 opening on September 15, 1913 with the play, “The Rosary” with movies on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. J.K. O'Neil and Harry M. Forber of Peoria bought the Henry Opera House relaunching it August 1, 1925 as the Henry Theatre with the Paramount Films Studio contract with “The Air Mail.”
In June of 1929, a new operator added Vitaphone for sound on disc presentations to remain commercially viable and to compete aginst the Granville Paramount Theatre which already had Vitaphone. In November of 1937, the theatre was closed briefly for a major streamline moderne by specialist H.W. Rucker Decorating Company which performed numerous similar transitions throughout Illinois.
Its continuous movie service ended on May 24, 1958 with “Tip on a Dead Jockey” with promises of a dozen great titles. But those films weren’t shown and the venue tried live events - dancing and music in 1958 by sublessees, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Frye - and some special trade screenings staying operational into 1960. In December of 1964, the theatre was auctioned off and was purchased at that auction for $600. By 1970, nothing had been done with the property which was deteriorating. That forced the City of Henry to demand demolition and, later, brought suit against the owner that same year.
In July, the former Henry Opera House turned Theatre, itself, got the message collapsing from its middle trying to self-raze. It wasn’t totally successful and in October youths set fire to the building but it wouldn’t completely go away. So the City of Henry finished the job late in the year.
I misspelled the second one… it was the Coliseum Theatre.
Also, the address is 123 Santa Fe Avenue. That was listed in the equipment sale which included a 12'x25' scope screen, two Simplex projectors, candy machines and more in both the trade press and the local newspaper. Martin and Frieda Schumacher were the final operators.
The Bailey Circuit opened here on January 21, 1938 with 540 seats at launch. Bailey closed the Royal on January 19, 1938 to make way for the new house. It scuffled in 1960 with its first closing weeks in December of 1960 since opening before reopening January 6, 1961 with CinemaScope presentations. Keep in mind that the theatre was almost obliterated in a March 3, 1940 fire (see photos) that wiped out 12 other businesses; yet the theatre replaced the marquee and was ready for business by March 10, 1940.
The local paper contends that Wayne Witte took over the theatre on May 9, 1969 from the Chamber of Commerce’s operation. Witte closed it on July 5, 1983. It also says the former theatre was gutted in an apartment building fire on April 28, 1994 and, subsequently, demolished in July of 1994.
Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Earl launched the Star Theatre on March 4, 1909 in the McMurtrie Building with films. The floor sagged causing panic and the floor was soon fortified. they advertised regularly through 1914. In 1920, it is known as the “Old Star” theater so likely out of business and not re-equipped at that point for retail use.
Hexter and B.F. Shafer opened the Airdome on June 3, 1911 with artwork by Grant Rose, an electric piano, and a capacity crowd. The venue was used in place of the ventilation-challenged Rose Opera House for summer programming. In 1915 and 1916, it was Leslie J. Barr who opened the Airdome with movies as the Lyric Theatre was closed for the summer months. It does not appear to have returned in 1917.
The Lyric Theatre opened in the Knights of Pythias' Pythian Hall building on August 22, 1914 by F.A. Barr with motion pictures. It converted to sound in 1930 to remain commercially viable. The final screening took place on February 27, 1940 as a merchant’s screening.
The Jewel Theatre was located at 126 North Main Street opening December 8, 1927 with “The Girl and the Pullman” supported ay an Aesop’s Fable short. The Melick Brothers took on the theatre from William Renegar and traveled to Chicago to buy talking pictures equipment in 1929. They made the wise move to not buy anything and closed on August 3, 1930 after “Two Men and a Maid” supported by the Arthur Lake short, “Getting the Air,” and a newsreel.
The Midget Theatre had an open house in June of 1914. It would then have an opening dance and movies from 1914 to a final show on May 29, 1923.
The Metamora Community Pictures Association - a committee of the Metamoran Board of Managers struck an exclusive contract with Universal Film Co. to resume film service at Emil Grob’s Hall renaming it Community Hall Theatre beginning October 18, 1923 with its first advertised show the next week. The theatre scuffled in the Depression and trying to transition to sound. It closed in March of 1932 reopening on Thanksgiving of 1932 closing weeks later. It reopened with a new sound system on October 20, 1934 with “The Phantom Express.” It closed March 30, 1939 with Tim McCoy in “The Outlaw Deputy.”
When Carl Philips bought the venue from the Van Alstyne Brothers, he renamed it the Oak Theater at the October 7, 1938 with “Little Miss Broadway” with Shirley Temple. The Oak Theatre ended with a gift night and Red Skelton in “Ship Ahoy.” But like a lot of theatres during WW2, the tire shortage got them making September 5, 1942 their last night.
The Scenic Theatre opened along with the Nickeldome as the town’s first two moving picture parlors in 1908. Hand cranked one reelers with a single projector and songs between was pretty much the programming in both venues. The Nickeldome failed under two operators closing in a year in 1909. The Scenic started on the West Side of Main Street and moved across the street in improved conditions and getting the Paramount Studios film contract to block book its products.The Scenic would get competition from the 1893-opened Columbian Opera House which largely switched to movies during World War I under the operation of Johnson & Phillips in 1914 followed by L.W. Weedman and George Shell in 1915.
In January of 1917, the Kendall family took on the Scenic under the Kendall Theatre nameplate. The theatre had a continuous 54-year run by the Kendall family. It did close in 1930 for remodeling as it transitioned to Moviephone sound - an inferior but cost effective choice - (ad in photos) and an early type of air conditioning. In 1935, they switched to more conventional sound by Motiograph. The Opera House didn’t make the transition to sound and became a lightly used live operation on its way to obsolescence and razing.
The Kendall went widescreen beginning on January 27, 1956 with “Hit the Deck..” The theatre closed on December 17, 1969 ending the Kendall family’s operation. They sublet the venue to George Carroll who reopened it very briefly.
The New Royal Theatre / Royal Theater was at 113 E. Cherokee opening there by Roy E.Heffner on February 19, 1922 with “One Glorious Day” supported by “That Night” - it had moved from 208 N. Maple where it was known as Theatre Royale since 1916. The venue had a Wurlitzer Photoplayer to accompany the silent films.
The theatre scuffled in the Depression unable to convert to sound. Used primarily for non-commercial purposes, it was given a new floor modern sound system, and fireproof projection booth at its reboot on September 26, 1936 with “Walking Dead.” With the opening of the Rainbo, the Royal was used for overflow screenings toward the end of its run closing at the end of 1939.
The Luxor closed at the end of its 20-year leasing agreement on February 28, 1960 with “The Alligator People” and “Return of the Fly.”
The Hi-Way 66 Drive-In Theatre opened on April 29, 1949 with Yvonne DeCarlo in “River Lady” supported by a sports newsreel and a cartoon.
The Esquire was a post-War African American movie house likely assisted by G.I. funding launching by Jim’s Enterprises on October 18, 1946 with “Frontier Gal.”
Correct: May 28, 1948
This venue became the New Park Theater received a shocking $100,000 makeover in 1948. The fresh by Walter Reade stripped away all of the venue’s original ornate features, losing its box seatings, and even removing its 1939 art deco elements from that update. It reopened on January 15, 1949 and the New Park Theatre. In the 1950s, it was retrofitted for widescreen to present CinemaScope features.
Very technically, this venue closed as the New Park Theater as noted on March 24, 1970 with “Cactus Flower.” It should be listed as New Park Theater and formerly Lyon’s Theatre (not Lyons).
The Florence opened on May 13, 1921 with Pauline Fredrick in “The Mistress of Shenstone.” The under-bridge structure was a multi-purpose addition to an existing building of which the Florence Theatre cost $120,000 to build. Purportedly, the name “Florence” was chosen to mesh with the Italian-centric venue’s clientele. Early ticket sales led to unwanted clientele. The 1,200-seat Florence Theatre was consistently robbed and lots of unsavory activity, to boot. The worst such case of robbery was its fifth in two years on September 23, 1925 when nitro blew a hole in the theatre causing $15,000 and a closed for repairs sign. The most brutal crime was that of patron Herman Kellerman who was gunned down exiting the theatre. That was said to be a gang-related hit in retaliation for the Johnny Spanish gang-related murder in which Kellerman was acquitted… but had a price on his head after leaving the courtroom, according to reports.
The Florence was wired for sound to remain competitive. It had a confectionery selling all forms of candy as the Florence’s de facto concession stand. The theatre booked Paramount Studio productions in a block booking arrangement. The Florence closed during the Depression - likely 1934 - with the neighborhood decidedly Asian. And Italian and English-language films just weren’t cutting it. The trade press purports that Toy Kin-Lee took on the venue renaming it as the New China Theatre in 1935 and then it was purportedly renamed as the New Canton Theatre in 1942. The latter mixed in live Chinese music and live plays, as well.
In 1950, Sun Sing Chinese Theatres Inc. took on the venue on a new leasing agreement with Kung Dee King ordering a major refresh that took seat count from 1,200 to under 1,000. It also came with a name change to the Sun Sing Theatre. In 1953, the venue played 3D films - notably The Gold Hunt / Fortune Hunters (Taojin ji) and A Woman’s Revenge (Yunü Qingchou). In 1954 the Sun Sing went widescreen to present 1.85:1 films with Kin-Lee apparently back operating the venue.
The venue thrived in the chopsocky era of the 1970s. It had its last wave of dollars with the Hong Kong New Wave lasting into the 1990s. It was the site of a major riot in October of 1976 in which - it was claimed in court - that there were more gang members than non-gang patrons. Seems highly possible. Based on nothing other than leasing, the theatre may have closed in 1995. The building was definitely demolished in 1998 but, when the walls collapsed during that project, three workers were trapped inside and injured.
A 1927 J. Mandor Matson architectural exterior sketch is in photos. The proposed name of “Badger” was rejected in favor the Plaza - likely because Community Theatres of Milwaukee took on the project in February just ahead of the opening. Its three manual $8,000 Barton pipe organ was played by local musician, Gladys Krueger on opening night of February 15, 1928.
It’s no great shakes, but the front wall of the old Colony Theatre was not incorporated into this new-build theatre. Also the entry’s text never once mentions the name of the theatre which is an odd choice. “It” was the McHenry Theatre, a new-build theatre that opened on February 9, 1955. In its twin operation, it was most often the McHenry Indoor Theatre 1 & 2 to distinguish it from the popular drive-in theatre. In the C-You operation, it was the McHenry Downtown Theatre for clarity of proximity. etc.
This venue opened as the Princess Theatre on September 1, 1911. John C. Miller moved to a new location reopening the Princess on April 1, 1914. This theatre remained dark from 1914 until reopening just for Saturday and Sunday screenings as the Strand Theatre on March 5, 1916. On August 6, 1916, that ended following Victor Moore in “Chimmie Fadden Out West.” It was closed until further notice.
… and on August 24, 1920 it transitioned from the Grand moniker to that of the Beverly Theatre with a new operator
This venue opened as the Princess Theatre on September 1, 1911. John C. Miller moved to a new location reopening the Princess on April 1, 1914. This theatre remained dark from 1914 until reopening just for Saturday and Sunday screenings as the Strand Theatre on March 5, 1916.
The Vaudette was replaced by the Hub Billiard Parlor that was opened July 2, 1913 by W.H. Shepherd.
Formerly the Grand Theatre
The Avalon Theatre closed with a four-wall on March 2, 1969 with “The Restless Ones.” It’s next ad said that the Avalon was closed and programming would seasonally shift to the Midway Drive-In with instructions to wait for the reopening announcement. In 2026, we are starting to doubt that reopening.
The Henry Opera House was built in 1913 opening on September 15, 1913 with the play, “The Rosary” with movies on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. J.K. O'Neil and Harry M. Forber of Peoria bought the Henry Opera House relaunching it August 1, 1925 as the Henry Theatre with the Paramount Films Studio contract with “The Air Mail.”
In June of 1929, a new operator added Vitaphone for sound on disc presentations to remain commercially viable and to compete aginst the Granville Paramount Theatre which already had Vitaphone. In November of 1937, the theatre was closed briefly for a major streamline moderne by specialist H.W. Rucker Decorating Company which performed numerous similar transitions throughout Illinois.
Its continuous movie service ended on May 24, 1958 with “Tip on a Dead Jockey” with promises of a dozen great titles. But those films weren’t shown and the venue tried live events - dancing and music in 1958 by sublessees, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Frye - and some special trade screenings staying operational into 1960. In December of 1964, the theatre was auctioned off and was purchased at that auction for $600. By 1970, nothing had been done with the property which was deteriorating. That forced the City of Henry to demand demolition and, later, brought suit against the owner that same year.
In July, the former Henry Opera House turned Theatre, itself, got the message collapsing from its middle trying to self-raze. It wasn’t totally successful and in October youths set fire to the building but it wouldn’t completely go away. So the City of Henry finished the job late in the year.
I misspelled the second one… it was the Coliseum Theatre.
Also, the address is 123 Santa Fe Avenue. That was listed in the equipment sale which included a 12'x25' scope screen, two Simplex projectors, candy machines and more in both the trade press and the local newspaper. Martin and Frieda Schumacher were the final operators.
The Bailey Circuit opened here on January 21, 1938 with 540 seats at launch. Bailey closed the Royal on January 19, 1938 to make way for the new house. It scuffled in 1960 with its first closing weeks in December of 1960 since opening before reopening January 6, 1961 with CinemaScope presentations. Keep in mind that the theatre was almost obliterated in a March 3, 1940 fire (see photos) that wiped out 12 other businesses; yet the theatre replaced the marquee and was ready for business by March 10, 1940.
The local paper contends that Wayne Witte took over the theatre on May 9, 1969 from the Chamber of Commerce’s operation. Witte closed it on July 5, 1983. It also says the former theatre was gutted in an apartment building fire on April 28, 1994 and, subsequently, demolished in July of 1994.
Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Earl launched the Star Theatre on March 4, 1909 in the McMurtrie Building with films. The floor sagged causing panic and the floor was soon fortified. they advertised regularly through 1914. In 1920, it is known as the “Old Star” theater so likely out of business and not re-equipped at that point for retail use.
Hexter and B.F. Shafer opened the Airdome on June 3, 1911 with artwork by Grant Rose, an electric piano, and a capacity crowd. The venue was used in place of the ventilation-challenged Rose Opera House for summer programming. In 1915 and 1916, it was Leslie J. Barr who opened the Airdome with movies as the Lyric Theatre was closed for the summer months. It does not appear to have returned in 1917.
The Lyric Theatre opened in the Knights of Pythias' Pythian Hall building on August 22, 1914 by F.A. Barr with motion pictures. It converted to sound in 1930 to remain commercially viable. The final screening took place on February 27, 1940 as a merchant’s screening.
The Jewel Theatre was located at 126 North Main Street opening December 8, 1927 with “The Girl and the Pullman” supported ay an Aesop’s Fable short. The Melick Brothers took on the theatre from William Renegar and traveled to Chicago to buy talking pictures equipment in 1929. They made the wise move to not buy anything and closed on August 3, 1930 after “Two Men and a Maid” supported by the Arthur Lake short, “Getting the Air,” and a newsreel.
The Midget Theatre had an open house in June of 1914. It would then have an opening dance and movies from 1914 to a final show on May 29, 1923.
The Metamora Community Pictures Association - a committee of the Metamoran Board of Managers struck an exclusive contract with Universal Film Co. to resume film service at Emil Grob’s Hall renaming it Community Hall Theatre beginning October 18, 1923 with its first advertised show the next week. The theatre scuffled in the Depression and trying to transition to sound. It closed in March of 1932 reopening on Thanksgiving of 1932 closing weeks later. It reopened with a new sound system on October 20, 1934 with “The Phantom Express.” It closed March 30, 1939 with Tim McCoy in “The Outlaw Deputy.”
When Carl Philips bought the venue from the Van Alstyne Brothers, he renamed it the Oak Theater at the October 7, 1938 with “Little Miss Broadway” with Shirley Temple. The Oak Theatre ended with a gift night and Red Skelton in “Ship Ahoy.” But like a lot of theatres during WW2, the tire shortage got them making September 5, 1942 their last night.