Illiopolis Theatre
Main Street,
Illiopolis,
IL
62539
Main Street,
Illiopolis,
IL
62539
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Additional Info
Architects: Harry J. Bergener, Homer L Chastain
Firms: Burgener-Chastain & Associates
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The Illiopolis Theatre was built in the early-1920’s as a 250-seat opera house. It had a balcony. The Masonic Lodge was located on the upper floor of the theatre building. The building was destroyed by a fire in 1950.
The September 13, 1950 issue of The Exhibitor reported: “In Illiopolis, Ill., many residents rallied to the support of Edward Griesheim in his efforts to finance the construction of a modern theatre to replace his Illiopolis, a 250-seater, destroyed in a fire.”
The ‘new’ Illiopolis Theatre was opened in 1951. It had 300-seats and was closed in 1963.
Contributed by
Michael Kilgore
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
The cost of the fire on July 4, 1950 was estimated at $86,000. The new theatre was built on the site and opened in November 1951.
The new Illiopolis Theatre opened in 1951 was designed by the Decatur firm Burgener-Chastain & Associates (Harry J. Burgener and Homer L. Chastain) as noted in the August 6, 1951 issue of The Decatur Daily Review.
From 1945 until closing in 1963, the Illiopolis Theatre was operated by Ed and Louella Griesheim, who from 1959 on also operated a drive-in restaurant in Illiopolis, according to an article in the August 23, 1982 issue of the Decatur Herald and Review. The theater building was later converted into medical offices, but I’ve been unable to discover if it is still standing or, if so, what it now is used for.