The Capitol is in need of more than a coat of paint. The roof is leaking over stage right, most of the upper left balcony has lost its plaster on the side wall, the paintings on the auditorium ceiling have damage, the basement usally has a ½ in. of water etc. In addition the lobby has one unisex restroom, the mens restroom is located in the basement and the second floor may not have any that are working.
Many issues must be addressed if this house is to survive. All efforts to entice a local theatre performance group to make the Capitol “Home” have failed, evan though the QC area has a symphony, two ballets, an opera co. and a fistfull of performance groups. The Adler has crowded the Capitol out, at least funding-wise. The community will have to want to keep the theatre alive.
If anyone is in Davenport, and has time, the lobby of the Kahl Educational Center is open most days that Scott Community College is in session. The Lobby is quite decortive and the elevators are real fast, (fun) and in the lobby office, are set of Prof. larg. format (10x20 in?) photos of the Capitol auditorium in full color and well lighted. I think they were shot in the 70’s. Wish Scott College would re-produce them as posters. Glad other folks know and care about this fine theatre.
The Columbia and the Capitol both existed, the Capitol has always been the Capitol. They faced each other at 3rd and Ripley.
Also I was wrong about the paintings in the Capitol, they were wall-papered over in the 80’s while the theatre was leased by the “President” Gambling boat. I don’t think the Wicks pipe organ will be reinstalled. No money/no interest. Too bad.
Now I am not sure, I was only 17 and could it have been a theatre in Hinsdale? Seems it was Barton. Too many years have gone by. Thanks for the correction.
To answer jstep about the extent of Scott Comm. Coll.expenses is that they tuck-pointed the north side of the theatre, the source of the interior plaster damage on that inside wall(north). The entire 10 story Kahl building has been acid and pressure washed(5 shades whiter now)all city code problems fixed, the missing stone-work has been re-created on the Kahl facade. The grand drape has been replaced, emergency lighting has been installed thoughout the theatre and back-stage, dressing rooms and basement. The pin-rail has been re-roped and ballasted. Lighting is fairly new, the house lights are still on the old Westinghouse board, stage lighting controlled from 1st balcony location w/ new board and fixtures. The original Knabe 9'concert grand piano is on the house left aux. stage. the Capitol also had a 6' grand that is still in the Quad cities, in a local restaurant. The Harp was plaster fake. I saw it in the 70’s, don’t know where it is. My e-mail is if any info needed or becomes available.
I have been in every corner of the Capitol and I can’t remember any lobby paintings, ever. I have been a part of the organ crew since 1972 and the organ is now being re-installed. It was my understanding that the Capitol was a movie house first, stage was added to the theatre after a few years. If you examine the alley walls there is a line where the brick work was spliced in, right behind the line of the projection screen. I am happy to know others like William and jstep are watching this situation. I hope you live in the QC area. The reference to Buddy holly is the “Winter Dance Party” and this show was Jan 29, 1959. Clear lake happened shortly after. The main floor was re-seated in the early 70’s and the house seats 1,583 now. The last dozen or so rows of seats below the projection booth had been walled off at that time also, and are still in place behind the wall. Both Simplex 35mm projectors are still in the booth, will need work to use them but all parts are there.
The Capitol is in need of more than a coat of paint. The roof is leaking over stage right, most of the upper left balcony has lost its plaster on the side wall, the paintings on the auditorium ceiling have damage, the basement usally has a ½ in. of water etc. In addition the lobby has one unisex restroom, the mens restroom is located in the basement and the second floor may not have any that are working.
Many issues must be addressed if this house is to survive. All efforts to entice a local theatre performance group to make the Capitol “Home” have failed, evan though the QC area has a symphony, two ballets, an opera co. and a fistfull of performance groups. The Adler has crowded the Capitol out, at least funding-wise. The community will have to want to keep the theatre alive.
If anyone is in Davenport, and has time, the lobby of the Kahl Educational Center is open most days that Scott Community College is in session. The Lobby is quite decortive and the elevators are real fast, (fun) and in the lobby office, are set of Prof. larg. format (10x20 in?) photos of the Capitol auditorium in full color and well lighted. I think they were shot in the 70’s. Wish Scott College would re-produce them as posters. Glad other folks know and care about this fine theatre.
The Columbia and the Capitol both existed, the Capitol has always been the Capitol. They faced each other at 3rd and Ripley.
Also I was wrong about the paintings in the Capitol, they were wall-papered over in the 80’s while the theatre was leased by the “President” Gambling boat. I don’t think the Wicks pipe organ will be reinstalled. No money/no interest. Too bad.
Whoops. Got busy and….
FLASH!!
Now I am not sure, I was only 17 and could it have been a theatre in Hinsdale? Seems it was Barton. Too many years have gone by. Thanks for the correction.
I played the organ at mid-night in the Uptown, in summer of 1976. Great house. I hope it can be saved!
To answer jstep about the extent of Scott Comm. Coll.expenses is that they tuck-pointed the north side of the theatre, the source of the interior plaster damage on that inside wall(north). The entire 10 story Kahl building has been acid and pressure washed(5 shades whiter now)all city code problems fixed, the missing stone-work has been re-created on the Kahl facade. The grand drape has been replaced, emergency lighting has been installed thoughout the theatre and back-stage, dressing rooms and basement. The pin-rail has been re-roped and ballasted. Lighting is fairly new, the house lights are still on the old Westinghouse board, stage lighting controlled from 1st balcony location w/ new board and fixtures. The original Knabe 9'concert grand piano is on the house left aux. stage. the Capitol also had a 6' grand that is still in the Quad cities, in a local restaurant. The Harp was plaster fake. I saw it in the 70’s, don’t know where it is. My e-mail is if any info needed or becomes available.
I have been in every corner of the Capitol and I can’t remember any lobby paintings, ever. I have been a part of the organ crew since 1972 and the organ is now being re-installed. It was my understanding that the Capitol was a movie house first, stage was added to the theatre after a few years. If you examine the alley walls there is a line where the brick work was spliced in, right behind the line of the projection screen. I am happy to know others like William and jstep are watching this situation. I hope you live in the QC area. The reference to Buddy holly is the “Winter Dance Party” and this show was Jan 29, 1959. Clear lake happened shortly after. The main floor was re-seated in the early 70’s and the house seats 1,583 now. The last dozen or so rows of seats below the projection booth had been walled off at that time also, and are still in place behind the wall. Both Simplex 35mm projectors are still in the booth, will need work to use them but all parts are there.