Paxton Majestic Theatre
133 South Market Street,
Paxton,
IL
60957
133 South Market Street,
Paxton,
IL
60957
1 person
favorited this theater
Showing 76 - 88 of 88 comments
I understand. At this point, we just can’t wait for that pending threat to emerge, before something is done, or began. I see you had inquired into the Watseka Theatre, as well. What a fantastic theatre. I remember seeing one of those “Police Academy” movies there. I forget who the long-time owner was, but once he closed the Watseka, he was very reluctant to reopen, or even allow it to be. Go figure. The Watseka, too, was a part of the “McCollum” chain, as was the Paxton and the Lorrain. My dream at the time of reopening the Paxton in 1983, was to bring these great movie-houses again, together, and include the Princess in LeRoy, and the Palace in Gilman. Ah, the days of dreams gone by, and the temptations to revive them. Anyway, you seem to know a lot about theatres; what do you do?
I will write quickly there’s no reason to disagree regarding “nothing to save” – what I meant was there’s nothing to save the building FROM, i.e., there’ve so far been no threats to raze the building nor convert it to apartments (as there had been in 1986). Definitely the building and its potential are worth saving !
I would like to see that 1986 plan, and who the board of directors were. Indeed ‘stirring community support’ just to ‘reopen’ the theatre would certainly seem like a “cry wolf” prospect. And yes, going it alone is certainly the best bet. My experience with the leasing concept is a bit sour … it’s simply got to be in the RIGHT community minded hands, and ownership. The Paxton Majestic Theatre Group (ironic the name is the reverse of what I had dubed it), from what I’ve heard, was asked to vacate the building by the owner, so, I expect they did the best they could with the leaking roof, and heating inefficiency. I imagine they could have been a better caretaker, but a lot of the major items were certainly only within the ownership’s jurisdiction. I think that the dust needs to be blown off that “serious” 1986 plan you mentioned, and attempt to revive the plan … to the “t” … professionally. I must respectfully disagree that ‘there is nothing to save’. There is history & memories, personal to generations before. And most important of all, potential, and future memories to create. Not to mention, the Majestic Paxton Theatre is not only the last intact movie-house in Paxton, but in the entire Ford County. She’s one of a
kind! The Majestic Paxton Theatre can continue to serve the community and surrounding area for another 100 years (almost). We’ve got to do something to give her that chance.
In 1986 there was considerable support to “save the Majestic”. At the time, the owner was considering plans to level the house floor and convert the theater to apartment space.
There was a plan in place to nurture the Majestic into a regional center for the performing arts (this was several years before the Virginia converted to a mixed-performance venue in Champaign). In any case, a board of directors was elected, the plan was ignored, and amateurs were put in charge.
If that plan had been followed as written, the theater group would have been able to buy the building by 1991 and it wouldn’t be sitting empty today.
Ironic that the “Paxton Majestic Theater Group” was actually founded for the sole purpose of saving the theater it no longer occupies.
At present, there seems to be no threat to the building or its design. It’s merely empty and for sale – there’s nothing to “save”.
And with nothing at stake, stirring community support for another campaign simply to reopen the theater would be difficult. There are several other options, each presenting more obstacles than the other. The most obvious, of course, is to buy or lease the building, go it alone, and hope for the best.
P.S. A preserved, renovated, recharged Majestic Paxton Theatre with a diversified entertainment venue would bring people to down/uptown Paxton, hundreds at a time! Resturants, saloons would flourish, window-shoppers would be exposed to all Paxton merchants has to offer … coming back … to BUY. Perhaps an entertainment venue could be an anchor for this “revival” … is there one now??? … NO. And, as much as I abhore the practice in many respects, if push comes to shove, in this case, most certainly Paxton should explore the “Eminant Domain” issue, and all sections of it’s application.
Yes, I am aware that Lenington Realty is the listing realtor. After attempting to contact him with no response, I finally received some material on the theatre property. Reveiwing the material, indeed, I too, seen many untrue “facts” presented by the realtor. I wrote back to begin some kind of dialogue with the realtor, but he has remained silent ever since. Heaven forbid, if I owned a home in Paxton, and would want it sold, would I enlist an agent that exagerates the facts, and seemingly doesn’t care if the theatre sells or not. Even Fuller Brush salesmen … followed up!
Yes, too, I am aware of the “gutting” of this wonderful, stately jewel, shortly after my impromptue departure in ‘84, after a couple of very short-lived attemps by individuals who did not know what they were doing. The then owner decided to gut the theatre out and sell off as much of it as he could, including the seats, projection equipment, ect. It was sort of like violating/pimping out a maiden for a “few bucks”. Sad. Anyway, operators that owned the Onarga and Gibson City theatres “looted” most of the “jewels”. By personal experience with then, I assume this was an attempt to stifle any local cinematic competition, more than anything else. I’m sure you wouldn’t find most of this equipment in use.
Then, finally a break-through, a group was formed and approached the theatre owner … and got in. Yes, I was not happy with the “improvements” this group did, and I can cite each and every one. But, the feeling was, the theatre was repreived, at least for a while. However, from my understandings, major improvements, or just simply building maintenance by the owner was lacking, if present at all. Such items as leaking roof, crumbling bricks, ect. was just simply ignored by the ownership. It’s sad a pig farm get’s more attention (no offense farmers).
What “other” theatre would you be referring to? I know of a few theatres in the area that has gotten the love and attention they deserve; Princess in LeRoy, Lorraine in Hoopeston. The Home in Rantoul, Palace in Gilman, and, Watseka in Watseka, most surely need more attention than they are getting, too.
Anyway, the price for the great Majestic Paxton is indeed absurd, and on the level of gouging. Since the theatre was bought by the most recent owner, I’m sure not “a cent” was returned into upkeeping this beauty, at least by observation.
Again, I would lend whatever assistance I could to preserve and renovate this Lady. And to guarantee she would always shine that big silver smile for generations to come. Oh, what I’d love to do with such a project.
I had contacted the group that was utilizing the theatre to express my thoughts and to offer what I could to pursue some kind of “campaign”. But, of late, they are ‘too busy’ to worry about it.
All I can say, PAXTON, WAKE UP! WAKE UP KNOW!
In closing, I strongly suggest the insurance coverage on the building be looked into. It concerns me when one may be so money-hungry to disrespect and “violate” a community landmark, practicing pure greed in “gouging” buyers, would also be as money-hungry to do something very, very stupid for that ‘ol buck.
As listed by Lenington Realty, the building’s description is a little misleading in “easy to rent and never vacant” -â€" the theater space, which is most of the property, has been sitting vacant and unused since 20 November 2005.
Judging by Paxton’s website, a hefty percentage of their downtown seems to be up for sale this week.
The current asking price for the Majestic is $150,000. But the house is missing over 130 vintage seats, there are no projectors, what remained of the screen was ripped out in pieces back in 1985 and the stage, orchestra pit and acoustics have been severely if not irreperably compromised thanks to “improvements” made by the amateur-theater company that had been renting the space. It would take substantial funding to repair their damage.
Not far to Paxton is a similar property, but the theatre is still intact and operating. This was on the market last year, also listed at $150,000 for the building as well as the established business. Even then, to quote one realtor, “I think the owner knows the price is absurd, is just putting it out there to see what happens”. It hasn’t sold, either ; as far as I know, there’ve been no offers.
In 1996, the Majestic was on the market for $50,000. At that time, the highest appraisal any of three banks and an independent profi would give it was $40,000. This was offered and rejected and a firm offer was made for $45,000 -â€" the then owner countered by raising the price to $55,000.
From a realtor’s perspective, no doubt the property is worth exactly as much as someone is willing to pay for it. One hopes a new owner would be investing for better reasons than personal gain.
Titus, I am with you. It is truly a “sin” that someone would have such disregard for such a community landmark, jewel, and venue. Yes, I can guarantee the theatre can contribute emmensly to the community and surrounding area for many years to come. But first, she needs an owner that is into the entertainment business, and not just someone that want’s to own it as an “investment” or tax write-off, unwilling to invest the time and money. I could only assume such an individual can’t surely be a citizen of Paxton, pray tell. Someone, or some group that is SERIOUS about this grand ‘ol lady has got to be somewhere in my hometown of Paxton! I, of course had become aware that the theatre is for sale, but the listing realtor doesn’t seem
too interested in following up on purchasing dialogue. I would do anything to embrace that “theatre project”. I started my 20+ year theatre career at the Majestic Paxton Theatre, I have renovated, owned, and, managed theatres from 1 to 18 screens and stages, in several states. I have not yet seen ONE community that did not value their local and/or historical theatre … not one! I am very disappointed in my hometown folks, and government.
Truly a shame what’s happened to the Paxton Theatre,it was an impeccable venue for film and live performance. Still, with some vision and a modicum of imagination, the space could easily be a profitable asset to the community at large, a serious focal point for the business district.
Hello. My name is Scott Graham. I am the one who kept a promise to my community, Paxton, remodeled and reopened the long-time closed Majestic Paxton Theatre, in the fall of 1983. I wish to make clear that business at the Majestic Paxton Theatre was very, very good. I keep reading articles that I closed the theatre because it could just not make it. This is totally untrue. The theatre was shut down by the then real estate owner for perceived frivolous reasons, against my will. Had this unfortunate event not happened, I guarantee that the Majestic Paxton Theatre would still be open, thriving, and continuing to serve the Paxton community and area. I understand this Grand Lady is again abandoned and in dissrepair, and it brings sorrow it my heart. I pray someone will again fall in love with Her once again and give Her the attention She so deserves. Paxton, you have a real jewel under your noses. Please don’t lose Her forever this time!
Bryan,
I can contact Marilyn with information on shows. Can you please tell me how I can go about updating the above information and how to add a picture. We also have a new link to our website as the one on this page is old. I am on the theatre board for the Paxton Majestic Theatre and would like to provide new information.
Thanks
Tom Janowski
Could you please forward to me the list of performances at the Paxton Majestic Theater for July and early August.
Thank you. e-mail address is:
Marilyn J. Boddy
I am part of the Paxtom Majestic Theatre Group and would like to change the Related Website link to point to our current website as well as update some of the information provided. Can you tell me how to do that? My email address is Thanks, Tom Janowski