Paxton Majestic Theatre

I too have many fond and happy memories of the Paxton Theater. I have always been a supporter. I went to the theater as a child. I worked at the theater during high school under Mr. Majestic. Mr. Majestic always had a love and a passion for the building and the history. He did try very hard at restoration. I was very involved in the Paxton Majestic Theater group. I did close to 50 plays in the theater starting in 1988. It is unfortuate that apathy, politics, and money entered in to the disrepair of the Old Majestic. She is gone and will be missed. I personally don’t feelthat rebuilding her will happen. Look at the Green Front Tavern that was a neighbor to the Majestic. It burned around 1977 and is still a vacant lot. But I also feel that it wouldn’t be the same. Would rebuiling her would have the same feel or smell as the orginal. You don’t realise what you have until it’s gone.

We can dedicate the new center to the old building. We can make the new building look or be inspired by the old building. I always loved that vaudville feeling of the old building but didnt like how it was falling apart. The fabric on the walls falling. The foundation and floor in the orchestra pit sinking. I’m so inspired. I want to get the blue prints to the old building and start seriously planning for the new building. I still believe in the opening of Paxton Majestic Arts Center in June 2013. It’s totally doable. Let’s do it.

I totally agree with the setiments of each and every one of you. We all have, and will cherish memories of the Majestic Paxton Theatre, and, I guess, in the end, that is all we have of our entire life, is memories. Yes, I love the arts, but most of all historical preservation. The plain and simple facts are; the Majestic Paxton Theatre sat “closed up”, plagued by darkness and disrepair for many years on end, ignored. It was closed, I assume because it was not supported, correct? If the Majestic Paxton Theatre held so much reverence with you, and held in such highr esteeme, as it seemingly is now, after the fact, why did you not show it before she was
gone? I think “just An Interested Party” was never interested at all … and the results, well that’s now in the news. Perhaps you can jump on another “bandwagon” as it rolls into the sunset. As much I deplore the general idea, the Majestc Paxton Theatre was a prime candidate and rare exception for eminant domain proceedings. Being right next door to city hall, I’m sure they witnessed the property vacant and in need every day. Of course, perhaps if such proceedings were began, the theatre would have mysteriously perished all that much sooner(?) I think, as you all have mentioned, all this ‘bickering’ has got to stop, there is nothing any of us can do now, the curtain has closed for good. Yes, another theatre may be built, and even on the same site, and that would be wonderful, and I would be most agreeable, but it would not be the same, in historical
perspective. Not the “real” thing, as you may say. But another facility to incubate dreams in, dreams that will last any brick an wood building. That would be fantastic. As for all of us, we have our own special memories to cherish and pass down, of the one and only Majestic Paxton Theatre, indeed we are the lucky ones. As far as the Majestic Paxton Theatre, well, years ago, I hda floorplaned the building and took photos from top to bottom, inside and out. So, perhaps it could be rebuilt to almost exact, sometime, somewhere. I am blessed to possess two oriinal velvet and leather (straw) seats, an original ceiling chandelire, a vaudville light used there, an original etched window pane, and some cuts of the first installed carpeting.
I was planning to put together a display and presenting it the the Majestic Paxton Theatre to put on display there. Along with that, I have been collecting autographed photos of film stars and entertainers, made out to the Majestic Paxton Theatre, that I wanted
the Majestic Paxton Theatre to be a home for. Anyway, on an ending note, If there is anyone out there that does not want to find the reason and/or the arsonist that did this tragic thing to all of us, and bring them to justice, well, I am sorry, for you, your neighbors, and your community.

I remember my first “lead role” at PMT. It was “Kate” in Never Too Late. I was 15 playing the part of a 25 year old. That cast really became my family. I will never forget Betty in the audience demonstrating how I should say a sexy line. Or dancing in the Music Man…Shapoopi Shapoopi….Or my favorite role in Fiddler on the Roof. I got to sing my favorite song in front of my friends and family. Or the theater camp we had Summer of 2004. It was sooo hot outside during the Music Man. We all had to stand outside. Oh dont forget all the fun we had in Damn Yankees. We finally had a lot of guys in a show. I miss the singing and dancing we did there. I miss the make believe and leaving our problems at the door. I miss the warm up games and spinning kids around. I miss the music, the laughter, the smiles. I hope to recreate that someday. I hope the whole community can come together and make a new theater and art center so our children can share in the same joy we did. We could even show movies there. But bickering will never make it happen. Thats why I left, there is too much pain in that town.

Yes, indeed, you ‘live it, breath it, and see it every day’, everything was in plain sight every day to you, right in your own back yard. And what did you do? Nothing. It seems that now that the final curtain has fallen, the Majestic Paxton Theatre is getting the past-due recognition it had always deserved, post mortum. A little late for the blind and deaf, don’t you think? That is the saddness of it all…right under your nose each and every day, and nobody batted an eye. Yes, Paxton is my hometown, and I am not there. But you were (apparently). And I would expect a lot more from you. I never ‘ran’ from Paxton by any means, as you attempt to negitively
imply. If you could please advise me where a local theatre would have been, for me to pursue the trade, I’d be there. Due to the circumstances outlined on the top of this page, other communities were more receptive at saving their theatres, and I was there for them. So, I do not have to defend my opinion on the subject. I have been there, lived that, many times over. It does not matter now if anyone feels my opinion has ‘merit’ or not. I do not care. The era is over, hope for the Majestic Paxton Theatre is up in smoke. Yes, we all have some of our fondest memories within those walls, but at this point, my memories are tainted by true lack of caring and stewardship of a one-of-a-kind historical landmark of Paxton, and the entire of Ford County. It is truly a shameful conclusion. Hindsight is golden, isn’t it? I did what I could, from where I have been, including, but not limited to “firing up” this conversation and awareness. The theatre never left my mind or heart, and never will. What have you done for your neighbor, right in your own back
yard…the Majestic Paxton Theatre?? The least that can be done now is to conduct a very thorough investigation, like no other. At least we owe her that. The Majestic Paxton Theatres' demise was not an accident, in my most knowledgable of opinions, and I know that feeling is shared by many. Now, you can ‘bicker’ all you want about who I am, or not, it is just not a relevant subject. We all lost a “Friend” this week, and sadly did not see/hear the cries for help. Let the responsibility fall upon who it may. My conscious is clear, and my spirit will always walk the brazed aisles of the Majestic Paxton Theatre with pride that I was once, and always will be a part of her. There is really nothing more to say.

I am sorry, this page is for comments regarding the Majestic Paxton Theatre, not of my own personal “bio”. I thank you for your interest, though.

One of the videos on Illinoishomepage.net showed the marquee actually falling. Talk about a dramatic exit…

Hello Shane. Thank you for the communication. I will try to answer your questions, even as most are answered above. 1) Yes, I had mentioned on many occassions that Paxton was my hometown, and how I became involved with the theatre; 2) As with most small towns with lack of employment, after the theatre closed, I chose to pursue my cinematic career elsewhere, which led me to many different states and venues. It had been an interesting journey, stressfull, but yet richly rewarding. And it all started at the Majestic Paxton Theatre. More than once, I had wanted to return to Paxton, but the same circumstances kept me from it. The career opportunities were not available, let alone substantial employment. I had always kept on top of what was going on in my hometown, especially the theatre. She was my “anchor” to my hometown. Paxton is rich in history and tradition, full of fantasic people. However, as I became involved in the “inner workings” of the local politics, the “outer circle” of my hometown began taking on a different hew. I hew that disappointed how I pictured fairness and equality to each citizen…but, that’s another story; 3) When I reopened the Paxton Theatre, I wanted to retain her history in a “new” name, so, I renamed her Majestic Paxton Theatre, “Majestic” being her original name, and “Paxton” being the name Art gave her when he erected the new marquee in ‘38. Anyway, some of the regular movie-going kids began calling me Mr.
Majestic, and I proudly did not shun the title. I hope I have helped you out, as I’m sure you have a lot of work to do in the coming days. I pray you do not approach this “job” as just another rountine “open 'n close”.

I understand and respect your opinion about the fires. However, all the buildings downtown were built around the same time, and yes … of wood. What else? The theatre was rewired in the 40’s and again, in the 60’s. So, just as modern as most of the buildings in town. Even when I operated her in the ‘80’s, there were designated breaker boxes. Percentage wise, Paxton’s downtown is perishing “regularly” from the very same causes (MO), much more so than other communities born at the same time, or even earlier. The theatre portion has been vacant for more then a few years. That is just a fact, not to insinuate a decades old conspiracy by any means. Just unusually strange. It would make for a good mystery movie, though. I am sure
the owner had regular access for a variety of reasons. He, stating the theatre as 150 years old on the news surely tells me what was on his mind at the time. He had the theatre listed at that inflated price! He was truly full of sentiment … not. Yes, Paxton is my
hometown as well, and in a lot of cases, there indeed was a lot
of “goings ons” that suprised and appalled me. Anyway, as sad as it is, the way the theatre was treated in the last many years, cast aside as she was, never upkept or repaired (can you believe the owner is/was a contractor?), I guess you can say she is now out of her misery. And for those that truly cared before now, always in our hearts and memories.

Call me naive about my hometown, but I seriously doubt that this was the result of an insurance scam/arson. Time may prove me wrong, but you have to remember that this building was nearly 100 years old with wiring that was probably not a whole lot newer than the building. Things short out and things catch fire. I seriously doubt that the building had sprinklers, am I right? I’m sure that the other fires that you mentioned over the decades may have had similar reasons for starting as well. The lumberyard fire? Hello? Wood burns, so it’s not surprising that it burned to the ground. I would hold off on stringing up the lynching rope until after all the facts are in. Just my opinion.

Was the theatre an actual historic landmark or just one of those nostalgic things that everyone thinks should have been on the list? I haven’t lived in the area since 2004 and the most recent thing I remember reading about it was when a former H.S. classmate of mine got married there.

I’m 20 years old. I would hope I have more growing up to do. It seems all this site does is induce bickering. It’s too bad now no one can complete their plans.

Freckled kid was all you had to say. I thought it was you, but couldn’t be sure. I can now tell by your message you have the same energy you had on stage. Wish you were here. We need the energy from younger actors as we are missing you greatly. Whatever thoughts you have, let me know. I have been in the trenches for the past two years and don’t want to see this as the end.