Albro Theatre
106 N. Broadway Avenue,
Urbana,
IL
61801
106 N. Broadway Avenue,
Urbana,
IL
61801
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Alger Theatres
Architects: Joseph W. Royer
Previous Names: Colonial Theatre
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The Colonial Theatre opened in 1913, on Market Street, in downtown Urbana. While it was a fairly small theatre, the Colonial Theatre originally had its own house orchestra. In 1924, Market Street was renamed Broadway Avenue. In the late-1920’s, stores were built on either side of the Colonial Theatre, a barber shop and a restaurant.
The theatre closed in 1931, but was reopened four years later as the Albro Theatre, named for the Alger brothers whose LaSalle, Illinois-based movie theater chain owned the theatre from that time until it closed. The Albro Theatre was remodeled and modernized, now showed sound films, beginning with “Alibi Ike”.
In 1948, the Albro Theatre closed, and was converted into offices. Just five years later, the company leasing the former theatre moved to a new location, and the building was demolished, replaced by a parking lot.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 1 comments)
The Urbana Daily Courier of August 11, 1913, had an article saying that construction of the new theater on Market Street had begun and was expected to be completed within thirty days. The architect for the project was J. W. Royer.
Joseph W. Royer (1873-1954) lived in Urbana all his life. He was an 1895 graduate of the University of Illinois, and designed many important buildings in Champaign County.