Capitol Theater

The Capitol is first listed in the FDY in 1929, which suggests an opening in 1928. The 1927 edition has a listing for a 600-seat “Theater planned by Sparks” which might have been the Capitol. The two early photos we have both show 1927 releases advertised, “The Magic Garden” and “Yankee Clipper.”

I grew up in Springfield in north Jacksonville from 1946 to the early 60’s.
I remember the Capitol Theater so well!  In the 50’s we would go every Saturday for the double features plus several cartoons.  The price of admission inthose days was $.12… Twelve cents!
We would get up early on Saturday and hunt for 6 pop bottles. 
Each bottle was traded in at a local store for 2 cents deposit return.  Six bottles bought a full afternoon at the Capitol, watching such Heros  as Roy Rodgers, Hop Along Cassidy and many more.
I lived on Walnut Street, between 7th and 8th Streets, went to Corrine Scott Elemenrty at Tenth and Market Street, later to Kirby Smith Jr High.
If you are reading this and remember places and events in Springfield, I have a wealth of info and stories to share.
Ray Treat

The 1943 edition of Film Daily Yearbook lists the Capitol Theatre as being operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary E.J. Sparks.