Senate Theater
509 E. Monroe Street,
Springfield,
IL
62701
509 E. Monroe Street,
Springfield,
IL
62701
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Kerasotes Theatres
Architects: Cletis R. Foley, Carl T. Meyer
Previous Names: Gaiety Theater
Nearby Theaters
Opened in 1909 as the Gaiety Theater. It was located on E. Monroe Street near S. 5th Street. It was renamed Senate Theater in 1929 and had 920 seats. It was remodeled in 1947 to the plans of architect Cletis R. Foley. It was twinned in 1978 and continued to operate until 1983 when it was closed and demolished.
Housing has been built on the site.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
May 11th, 1929 in photo section.
1939, 1966 and October 27th, 1978 (2 screens) ads also uploaded.
I remember when this theatre burned down. But can’t recall for sure if it had already closed. Seems like it was still operating when it caught fire.
Uploaded a vintage exterior photo.
Architect Carl T. Meyer updated the Senate in 1939 for Kerasotes Circuit. Before and after shots in photos
February 2017 article with a 1981 photo of the Senate.
http://illinoistimes.com/article-18328-dodge-bashing-downtown.html
Another photo from the Sangamon Valley collection in 1948 featuring “The Babe Ruth Story” is available here:
https://lincpubl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/public/index.assetbox.assetactionicon_0.view/1000213?rm=ARCHITECTURE+-1%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7Ctrue
Golffanatc, your photo has been added crediting Sangamon Valley Archives.
1968 exterior view uploaded to photos
Uploaded demolition photo from 1983