Madison Theatre

According to the book "The CORONADO THEATRE, Rockford's Crown Jewel" we have architect Klein to thank for a number of other theatres also: the HIPPODROME, DUCHESS, APOLLO, and COLUMBIA all in Peoria, as well as the PRINCESS in Ottawa, Ill. I do not know any details of these theatres, but his CORONADO is enough reason to go down in history!

While this theater still hosts an occasional event, it's a shadow of it's former self. The original Main St. entrance as well as 2/3 of the entrance hall/concession area have been sectioned off as a seperate business (bar). My understanding is that it is still equipt to show films but mainly hosts live music. The main floor seating area has had all of it's original theater seats removed.

Accpording to the 1936 Motion Picture Yearbook, the Madison seated 1,746.

A Hinners theater organ was installed in the Madison Theater in 1920.

Does anyone happen to have pictures of this theatre?

Go to www.JackFritscher.com and, using the SEARCH feature, type in "Madison Theater" for an historical reference to the Madison Theater in Peoria, Illinois.

Here is an exterior view.

Here is the National Register of Historic Places information, although the address given is different than the one above. This building must have multiple addresses.

Madison Theatre (added 1980 - Building - #80001402)
502 Main St., Peoria

Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Harbers,Fred, Sons Builders, Klein,Frederic J.
Architectural Style: Classical Revival
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

This is a December 2008 photo.

Here is a 1985 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/db4kbs

1982 Photo

Another website for the Madison Theater:

http://www.historicpeoria.com/entry.php?eid=136&catid=1&cid=1

This is another 1985 photo.

Here is the National Register of Historic Places nomination form for the Madison Theater.

The old show-biz saying,Will it play in Peoria.

Here's a photo circa 1925

And some additional historic info:

Madison Theater architect Klein was based in Peoria and his main offices were just a couple blocks down from this theater on Main St.

The original general contractor for this building was a local firm - Fred Harbers and Sons.

The first general manager of this theater was Herbert D. McNally, formerly of the old Empress theater which was a couple blocks down from the Palace Theater.