In May of 2005, the City of Centralia received the Illinois Theater as a donation from Kerasotes Theaters, Inc. The Illinois Theater Task Force was formed in November 2004, to begin plans to restore the theater to active use. When it is finished (either late Summer or Fall of 2006) the theater will be primarily a venue for live performance, such as theater, concerts, and comedians. It will also be available for lectures, meetings, or conferences and will still function as a movie theater (for older movies).
In June of 2005, the Task Force completed its function as an advisory body, and a non-profit organization, headed by a board made up of interested local citizens has been formed. This organization will lease the buliding from the City, and will be responsible for all programming and promotion. The City will work closely with the non-profit to perform restoration activities on the building and prepare it for use.
If you have an interest in participating in the various aspects of this restoration, please contact Allison Austin Community Development Director, at City Hall. This may include Creative Use, Marketing, Construction, and Fundraising.
Progress on Theater Renovation
As shown in this December picture - the lights on the theater marquis have been fully repaired. This includes the neon "I" on the front, which had been broken out, as seen below.
Plans from the Architect will be returned in January to the Downtown Centralia Illinois Theater Board, for review. It is expected that bidding on renovation work will begin shortly after.
Note the broken Neon both on the Letter I and the edging in this Spring 2005 photo. The chaser lights and main text area on the south side were also repaired.
History
"Movies were next to capture the attention of Centralians -the silent pictures, then talkies, and finally color. The first moving pictures appeared at the Grand in 1905. Other Centralia movie houses included the Casino, the Theatorium, the Bijou, the Lyric, the Rex, the Gem, the Princess, the Playhouse, and finally the giant Illinois Theater with 1,200 seats which opened in 1922. Local musicians who played along with the silent films included John McNeil's Orchestra, Julius Reinhardt, E. S. Rogers and H. M. Ferguson. The first talkie was shown at the Illinois in 1929."
- from Centralia, A Pictoral Hisory by George E. Ross
Picture - This is a street scene on S. Locust in Centralia, on an unknown date. Note the Illinois Theater on the left with the film "The Prince of Thieves" on the marquis. This movie was released in 1948, which dates the photo.
Interior Photo
This is the main stage area of the Illinois Theater as it looks today (May 2005).
