Warner Theatre
1201 SW Adams Street,
Peoria,
IL
61602
1201 SW Adams Street,
Peoria,
IL
61602
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Additional Info
Functions: Auto Repair Shop
Previous Names: Little Palace Theatre, Grand Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Located at the corner of SW Adams Street and Spencer Street in the west of the city. The Little Palace Theatre was opened in 1910 and was operated by the Apex Theatre Company. In 1932 it was renamed Grand Theatre. It was renamed Warner Theatre in 1941. It was closed in 1957.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 17 comments)
The structure is still there; however, there is a large overhead door in the back of the theater now for trucks to enter and exit.
Nice to know that the structure is still there though after reading “there is a large overhead door in the back of the theater now for trucks to enter and exit” sounds like it is still the Mid City Truck and Auto Repair business. Would be interesting to have someone get inside and take some photos to see if anthing “theatre” remains. It’s a shame that this university town didn’t keep their theatre.
And with the name WARNER, I wonder if there is any Warner history connected to this theatre. I would guess that there is a connection so would like to read about it.
The Warner theater is probably vacant as it’s been decaying for over 40 years.
I would suspect it will be razed in the near future. The same fate for the Avon which
is directly across the street from the old Szolds department store. The Avon
had been gutted and converted to a night club in the 60’s. After the club
failed, it remained boarded up awaiting demolition. I have a photo of the Avon
if anyone is interested.
Lee: A real shame to lose (or soon lose) a theatre with the WARNER name!
I worked in the Warner Theater building from 2003 to 2005 it was a truck repair shop at the time. I have always been interested in finding out info on its history. Their were still many features remaining of when it was a the Warner most notably was the very elaborate crown molding that ran the length of the walls near the ceiling.
Here’s a link to a vintage shot of the Warner:
View link
I took a photo of the building in it’s current state and will post it here soon.
Here a shot of the Warner in it’s current state:
Photo as Holy Tabernacle Church added credit Peoria Public Library. On the back was written that it was later Krieling Roofing Company Warehouse. Photo appears to be mid `50s.
The venue opened as the Palace Theatre in 1910. It didn’t become the Little Palace Theatre until Ascher’s Palace Theatre opened and caused some confusion in 1921. So the operators decided, “Little” Palace. The LP scuffled in the movie palace era so veered to burlesque with exploitation films and fourth-run Hollywood fare mixed in. Burley performer and operator Billy “Bozo” Stone gave it an improved sound system and new name as the Grand Theatre operating with just films. (Boz moved the burley shows to the Majestic until being shut down for lewdness in 1941; lewd under the radar at the Little Palace was one thing…)
It got a minimal streamline makeover becoming the Warner Theatre in 1941. It closed on March 13, 1954 with “Sound Barrier” and “Nevada Buckaroo.” It was offered for sale or lease as a theater in 1954 and all of 1955. In March of 1956, three very young boys (ages 10-12) admitted to seriously vandalizing the theatre including destroying a projector pretty much sealing its fate. The vacant building faced condemnation until it was cleaned up and transitioned to a house of worship in 1959 reducing its taxing liabilities. The former theater turned church was later converted to a garage.