Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse

Rock Island, IL

1826 Third Avenue

, Rock Island, IL 61201 United States

(map)

309.786.7733

Status:	Open
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Live Performances, Movies, Restaurant
Seats:	1623
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	W.T. Braun, Benjamin Horn
Firm:	Cervin & Horn

1940s postcard view of the Fort's exterior

Photo courtesy of the public domain

The Fort, also known as the Fort Armstrong, is another classic theater that started off with silent pictures/vaudeville and then switched exclusively to movies.

The theater was decorated with a Western theme that was in keeping with its pioneer past, including teepee chandeliers.

In the late 70's, Dennis Hitchcock purchased the theatre, terraced the main floor, installed tables, and renamed it the 'Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse'. Mr. Hitchcock otherwise left the theater's color and style as they were.

While the main floor has a small entrance and lobby, there is a large lounge on the 2nd floor.

Related Websites

Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (Official)

Contributed by Mike Geater

YOUR COMMENTS

The Fort is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

posted by Mike on Oct 8, 2001 at 3:54pm

Opened in 1921, the Fort Armstrong Theater was designed by architect Benjimin Horn of the Cervin & Horn practice, associate architect was W.T. Braun. The architectural style is Native Indian and it had a seating capacity of 1623.

posted by KenRoe on Oct 30, 2004 at 5:09pm

The Fort went through an array of operators, A.H. Blank Theatre, Publix, Tri States Theatres and Tanner Theatres. The Fort was the largest theatre in Rock Island, the Spencer was the second largest with about half the seating as the Fort with 866.

posted by Chuck1231 on Mar 26, 2006 at 6:27pm

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980

Fort Armstrong Theatre (added 1980 - Building - #80001407)
Also known as Fort Theatre
1826 3rd Ave., Rock Island
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Cervin & Horn
Architectural Style: No Style Listed
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 13, 2007 at 3:50pm

Here are some recent photos of the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse. Click each photo to expand it.

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 30, 2007 at 5:52am

A Bennett theater organ was installed in the Fort Armstrong Theater in 1921.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 8, 2007 at 6:55pm

This is a circa 1937 postcard picture of the Fort Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 3, 2008 at 3:50pm

1982 Photo

posted by Lost Memory on May 17, 2009 at 4:50pm

Here is a 2009 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 23, 2009 at 4:32pm

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Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse

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