Capitol Theater

A Capitol idea - Local preservationists hope to restore historic South Rockford theatre It had a Spanish appearance, even though it was located in an Italian neighborhood. The interior was ornate with Spanish décor and stunning overhead effects. Stars were cut out of the ceiling and a cloud machine was installed to give patrons a real sense of being in a Spanish garden. It featured a wide stage with a large orchestra pit – used often in the early days for vaudeville shows – a Kilgen pipe organ and Rockford-made Haddorff Grand Piano. When the Capitol Theatre opened on February 4, 1928, it was 35 cents for adults and 10 cents for children to see the silent film “The Sky Raider.” The first tickets were sold by 18-yearold Catherine Domino, who is Shirley Fedeli’s mother. “Anthony Domino was my mother’s uncle, and when the Capitol opened, she was the first cashier,” Shirley said. That’s not all, Shirley said, “That’s where she met my father, Peter Martignoni.” When it opened, the Capitol had dancing and singing contests, as well as vaudeville acts. One talented dancer was Jo Martignoni, who won several contests there and went on to compete in places like Detroit. Her brother Peter drove her and his mother to the theater, and, well, you can guess what happened.“ (My mother) probably said, ‘Hey, Peter, I’m glad your sister won.’ My mother wasn’t afraid to talk to anybody,” Shirley Fedeli said. Its heyday was a time well before TV when theaters were commonly found in Rockford neighborhoods, including the Rex on Seventh Street, the Family on Broadway, and, later the Auburn on Auburn west of North Main and the Park in Loves Park. South Rockford had two neighborhood theaters – the Capitol and the Rialto, which opened a few months earlier on the same block at the corner of Morgan and South Main Streets. The Rialto was built by Jasper St. Angel and Paul Latino with a similar Spanish motif and seating for 1,200. For years, the two held similar gimmicks to draw customers, such as give away nights with the prizes being dishes or volumes of an encyclopedia. Guy Fiorenza recalled walking to the Capitol with his mother from their home on the 700 block of Montague Street. “To promote off-nights, you would get a plate or a part of a dish set if you bought admission,” he said. “The funny thing is that, often, when the movie was going on, someone would make a wrong move, and they dropped the dish. And all of us would say, ‘ohhhhh,’ in sympathy.” He still has one of those dishes. The Capitol’s ownership changed hands over the years and closed for good in 1958. In time, the front portion was used for businesses, including the Capitol Cleaners, and, more recently, the Latin Billiard Club and Taco Loco restaurant. Although its exterior is not much to look at, many believe the space is salvageable, including noted Rockford architect Gary Anderson, whose firm specializes in adaptive reuse and historical preservation projects. Among his projects is the Prairie Street Brewhouse. Asked if the building could be renovated, he said, “I think so. (In addition to the front), there are apartments upstairs. If you can get this into the right hands, it could work.” Alderman Hervey is hopeful but also aware of the building’s code issues. “There are places where there is water coming in,” she said. “The structure needs an environmental cleanup.” To that, the architect Anderson says, “All of these things are cleanable. There is still a lot of original detail inside that you can re-purpose and recreate. I think the building is definitely worth retaining and restoring.” While aware of the serious code issues, Mark Williams, economic development manager for the City of Rockford said, “We’re actually trying to do an evaluation of South Main Street and determine its cultural value. It is in the new TIF district that encompasses the Barber-Colman Village Block.” (TIF or tax increment financing is a public financing method used as a subsidy for development in community improvement projects). Many of the artifacts from the Capitol are in other places. The theater’s organ is in private hands; the cloud machine is at the Coronado. But many original items are still inside, including signs, wall decorations, aisle markers. Alderman Hervey’s dream is of a multi-purpose facility that, when re-purposed, could become a centerpiece of the neighborhood. “I know it takes money,” said Hervey, who is planning to create a committee to tackle the project. “I want to start a fund-raising campaign. We’re calling it ‘Capital for the Capitol.’ I think there are opportunities to do it. I’m also not expecting it to happen tomorrow. It’s not going to be like the Coronado Theatre. But, as part of the South Main Street revitalization, I think this will resonate with a lot of people.” (Sources: Rockfordreminisce.com; Illinois Digital Archives; cinematreasures.com; Rockfordpubliclibrary.org/local history )

Architect was W.J.Van Der Merr.

If this theatre actually operated until 1970 I would be very surprised. I was going to movies a lot in the late 1960s and I don’t recall it being open then. To my recollection, downtown had the Coronado, the State, the Times, and the Midway.

This opened on October 4th, 1928. I have posted its grand opening ad as well as two photos in this theatre’s photo section.

how much would it cost to purchase the theatre and what would the terms of use and service be?

Here is a re-post of Bryan’s 1928 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2beu5z

Does anyone know the name of the theater that was almost right next door to Virgili’s Supper Club on S. Main? It closed, I think, in the 1960s … there was a rather sensational murder years later, in which the body was found in the upstairs of the building. I can’t think of the name. Thanks for any help.

Who are the gentlemen on the medallions? I only recognize Shakespeare and Beethoven. The other two look more modern. Funny to think they were used to endorse Hollywood ‘art’. The building is in pretty rough shape. Some of the parapet appears to have fallen off. I’m guessing that there was a raised portion in the center, which is in keeping with the Mission Revival (or whatever you want to call it) style. There’s still a fallout shelter sign on the front.