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Illinois Movie Theatres (page 13)

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Cinema Theatre
Urbana, IL
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 housed the Cinema Gallery. For more, see this website. [map]

Liberty Theatre
Vandalia, IL
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 and it reopened a year later. It is now used as a performing arts venue. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Grand Theatre
Wheaton, IL

2012:
2025:
The Grand Theatre opened in 1925. It was renamed the Paramount Theatre in the 1930s and then later became the Wheaton Theatre. It closed in the late 1990s and then reopened in 2002. It has been closed since 2006. Although there have been efforts to restore the theatre as a performing arts center, it remains vacant. The ticket booth and porcelain enamel panels have been removed. I believe the neon letters are in storage. 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. The theatre is still operating. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Paramount Theatre
Wyoming, IL
The Paramount Theatre building was constructed in 1886. By 2013, the ground floor was operating as the Star Theatre. The Paramount Theatre opened in 1934. The marquee and ticket booth are from then. It closed in 1969. It reopened for a few years in the late 1990s. By 2022, the neon on the marquee had been restored and the theatre was open for live performances and events. For more, see this website. [map]

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