Crocker Theater

The Crocker, Elgin has 1347 seats including the balcony. It was a single screen with a slightly curved (16 degree) screen. It was equipped with 4 track magnetic and optical mono sound. It backed up to the Fox river.

Old Elgin theater will be torn down for new housing

By Raoul V. Mowatt, Tribune staff reporter. Freelance reporter Steve Young contributed to this report.

July 7, 2001
The Elgin City Council has endorsed a plan to subsidize twin housing projects by as much as $4.2 million, ending the possibility that the landmark Crocker Theater could be restored for entertainment use.

Despite calls from audience members to re-examine preserving the theater, council members last month voted 7-0 for the city to negotiate with Par Development of East Dundee to build 60 condominiums and 116 town homes on South Grove Avenue.

A formal vote on the plan will be taken July 11. The council's action also delayed a bid to save the theater's facade.As part of the plan, most if not all of the Crocker, which opened in 1923 but has been closed since the 1970s, would be torn down to provide parking for the developments. Officials previously had agreed to study whether to attempt to save the facade, which could cost the city $250,000 or more. But officials said losing the Crocker would be a small sacrifice to launch a $28 million project they believe could spur other companies to invest in the downtown area.

"I think this can really help to improve property values for the rest of the downtown area" Councilwoman Ruth Munson said.

The city bought the Crocker in 1999 for $600,000 and has spent $30,000 renovating the facade. Many residents have backed the idea of resurrecting the theater, but, officials said, there has been little serious interest in the undertaking. The city estimates it would take $5 million to make the gutted theater functional again.

Par Development would receive an incentive of more than $3.1 million in land and as much as $1 million for expenses such as streetscaping and sewer upgrades. Officials said the subsidy is in line with what developers have received for other projects. But some council members expressed discomfort with it.

Councilman John Walters labeled such incentives "corporate welfare." But he said Elgin has little choice but to pay if it wants to upgrade its downtown area and remain competitive with other towns.

Officials said they hope the developer's housing options will attract young professionals. The prospect of scores of new residents probably would attract businesses to move to the area, they said.

Preservationists petitioned the city to revive the Crocker or at least retain its facade.

Attorney Michael Noland presented a proposal to have the Crocker provide live theater, an arcade and a buffet. He said the city could create a non-profit enterprise and consider selling it to the private sector after it established itself. Noland urged the council to postpone making a decision until it studies alternatives.

RE-OPEN THE CROCKER THEATRE AS A LIVE MUSIC VENUE. YOU WOULD BE FOLLISH TO DO OTHERWISE.

Elgin stupid As*ho*es!!! Let SOME history and culture survive for christ's sakes! That is unless you would rather it remain stale, dumpy and crappy forever. Do a classic movie theater or a club, or SOMETHING, no more god da*n condos, apartments, or god help me, townhomes. ENOUGH ALREADY! I am starting to feel like I am in a bad movie where everything looks the same and nothing and noone has any character. Renovating the downtown area = increase in property values (aka property taxes)higher volume in visitation from surrounding areas as well as tourism, and everyone is happy. Buttheads. So do everyone a favor, and let what used to be a beautiful town become that again, not just another bland everything looks the same suburb. Because what's next after downtown, the victorians? I would hope not, but if you're ready to teardown one aspect of this towns history for profit, than I am willing to bet that you're willing to do that as well.
Andrew Funk From Elgin

My husband and I just went to take pictures of the building this past weekend, it is still standing. Does anyone know of any organizations still trying to get this theater re-opened? If so, we would like to be involved. The downtown Elgin area could come alive again if enough time, money, and care was put into it. There are already townhouses being built by the library and casino, I don't see why they would need to build even more in the spot where the theater stands now.

Information on the condos/townhomes project planned for the Crocker site can be found at this site:

http://www.rpphomes.com/home.html

How sad-
They could have incorporated this beautiful, historic building into their downtown plan, and instead will demolish it to build more unsightly townhomes and condos. What a world we live in!!! Not to mention you can buy a beautiful historic home in Elgin for less than those new places cost!

I, too, think that the idea of erecting more condos downtown is an awful idea that is made even worse by razing one of Elgin's gems in the process. Hasn't Elgin learned anything since 1966 when it allowed the Watch Factory to be demolished? Is it an absolutely 100% certainty that this horrible plan will be undertaken? Up to a point, I agree that one of things downtown Elgin needs is people. But people do not have to live downtown to contribute to its commerce. (Witness the riverboat casino.)
It is a strange coincidence that the amount of money subsidized by Elgin for the condo project is about the same amount needed to restore the Crocker. As we are talking, in part, of my tax money I suggest the money be spent to have a building that is open to the public, serves a city-wide purpose, and shows lots of class. Is there any doubt as to which idea I am suggesting?

It's sad what these idiots are planning to do to the Crocker.

I think the City of Elgin should keep the Crocker. St. Charles and other suburbs still have old movies houses in there towns in which people still flock in be the hundreds. I only lived in Elgin for nineteen years I grew up in Chicago and I still remember the downtown theaters which are now a distant memory. This is why Elgin should keep this theater and not let it become a distant memory in the past. Also since I only lived in Elgin for only nineteen years,I would like to see if anyone has any pictures of what the Crocker looked like on the inside before the theater closed. I only seen one in the Gail Borden Library about three years ago, but I would like to see some more pictures of this building.

turn it into a Brew-and-Veiw, a concert hall, a club, or maybe even re-open it as a theater again, but for the sake of Elgin, don't tear it down to build more expensive condos!

also, I would like to add that this town needs to be rejuvinated!

Crocker Theater Trivia:

This theater opened in September of 1923 and the movie that played opening day was a comedy called "Dulcy" with Constance Talmadge in the lead role. The first "talkie" that played at the Crocker in 1929 was "The Careless Age" with Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

I too believe in historic preservation. But I really wonder whether or not the Crocker could have made it as a movie theatre again. After all, the nearby Casino Theatre closed after a very short run (1994-2002). And it was a much newer theatre. This is surprising, given that Classic Cinemas is usually a good chain.

I believe that if the Crocker could have been saved, it should have been done so a la the Warner Center in Pittsburgh (ie conversion to retail and restaurant use, while retaining the marquee). Perhaps condos could have even been included in the design.

The situation that the Crocker Theater now finds itself pretty much represents the feeling of the city planners regarding downtown Elgin. I think that they are under the impression that building enough condos will cause a mythical "critical mass" of people living downtown. This will then produce all manner of retail and entertainment enterprises.
It will, in all probability, produce only enough such commerce to provide some of the needs of nearby citizens. Consider Sunset Park-the first post-WWII housing development in Elgin. It has a strip mall next to it. The same can be said for other such developments such as Wing Park Manor, Eagle Heights, Century Oaks, and so on.

People just aren't going to come from other parts of Elgin to visit a Walgreens in downtown Elgin.

But they just might come to a properly renovated and properly run Crocker Theater. There are thousands of classic movies from the silent era onward to today. Some are not available on DVD and even those that are benefit from being shown using the equipment for which they were filmed in an environment they were designed for. The Crocker could go for years on such fare. Who among movie lovers would not like to see their favorite movie(s) on the big screen?

Add a few local restaurants and Elgin would have the core of a "downtown" again. I don't think that Ackemans and Spiese's will ever grace downtown Elgin again. But it should, in my opinion, be a place for all of us in Elgin to enjoy.

A riverside park is a step in the right direction but the rest of the plan will result in nothing more (or less) than an upscale (and probably ugly) housing development with an upscale (and probably ugly) downtown strip mall.

They should have turned it into an art house theatre for foreign films and classics. Or they should have turned it into an arcade. A regular theatre couldn't compete with the big chains. Maybe they could just save the facade and "relocate" the building across the street.

I think we should all get together and save the marquee. Then we'll find another building to stick it to...

I'm watching it right now...they're tearing it down with a big crane. They ripped the classic marquee down yesterday. I work right accross the street from the parking lot that is next to the theater.

It's pretty depressing seeing all these condos being built. It's so bad. The rest of the city's historical sites are probably soon to follow.

Fuck Elgin. West Dundee saved their classic theatre and turned it into a successful music venue. West Dundee did the right thing with the condos they built. They didn't tear down any buildings. They let the condos be built into a rennovated warehouse. Kept the theatre...and everybody is still happy. West Dundee downtown is thriving. Hell they shoot movies there because it's nice and authentic.

Elgin is nothing but a dirty whore selling herself to the rich and forsaking her children aka Elginites.

Just what we need, more condos! However, as I said in my previous post, I'm not sure if the Crocker would have succeeded as a cinema or as a performing arts venue. The relatively new Casino Theatre didn't make it. And for performing arts, the Hemmens is nearby.

What might have been done? How 'bout "adaptive re-use" in which historical elements including the marquee are retained? How 'bout a movie themed restaurant or cafe? Or a nice banquet hall as was done with a theatre in Quincy, IL?

According to the city of Elgin, the Crocker Theater is/was located at 96 South Grove Street. Here is a link to their website:
http://www.cityofelgin.org/index.asp?NID=508

Even though the city of Elgin's website says 96 South Grove Street, I believe that the correct address is 96 South Grove Avenue.

What does the interior look like? Was it really gutted previously, and if so why?

Also wondering what the facade looks like without the marquee... Was anything under it?

Removing the marquee exposed "Crocker Theater" enscribed in the front but it otherwise looked the same. I have an article in the local paper showing all the seats, stage, curtain, and even the projecting equipment and an organ. That was in the late 1980's.
Several people made some effort to get it reopened then but nothing came of it. Since that time it, according to local sources, was gutted. I have no idea of any of the interrior was saved.

RIP. I'll miss it.

Brian, I can't find the article now, but I recall an article in the Tribune from at least a couple years back that had a story about the Crocker, with a black and white photo accompanying it of the gutted auditorium of the theater. It was from what I recall down to the brick walls with a bare floor and part of the the stage area was visible with the screen removed. If I can can find the story, I'll post a link to it here.

Yes,

It was gutted. I first saw it in the winter of 1992-1993. I was doing a research paper for school on the Chicago, Aurora, & Elgin RR which had a power station to the north of the Crocker theatre. The Railroad track was located just behind the Crocker and the Rialto theatres.

When I went to take some research pics of the railroad property, I was able to look into the front doors and see clear through to the back wall of the stage house. Even the lobby was ripped clean of all finishing's, except for the staircase. There was also a small hole in the rear loading dock door in which you could see the stripped auditorium. I do have exterior shots from that trip,and subsequent visits, but I was never equipped to get shots of the dark interior.

I too will miss this one.

~Michael

P.S. According to my notes and a check of the online database, the Crocker theatre had a Wurlitzer Style D (2 manual 6 rank) organ Opus 623 - installed on 3/30/1923.

Here are 2 pics I took during one visit. One is a drawing of the "current" facade. The second was of a historical photo of the theatres early look.

http://www.theatreorgans.com/dtos/images/P0000804.JPG

http://www.theatreorgans.com/dtos/images/P0000805.JPG

Michael

The terms urban renewal or redevelopment are what caused the demolition of the Crocker Theatre in Elgin Illinois! So so sad!

Here is another photo of the former Crocker Theater.

The Elgin city fathers are so near sighted. Look at downtown Elgin--it's a ghost town. What is needed are good resturants and a movie theatre. Now none exist in Elgin. Elgin never recovered from the watch company closing down and the casino hasn't brought in vistors who would stay and shop in the downtown area.

The best use for the Crocker would have been as an indie rock music venue. Other rock "theaters" like Clearwater in Dundee and Metro in Chicago don't have seats, because seats get in the way. If you look at this way, much of the work had already been done on the Crocker, since the interior was gutted long ago. It wouldn't have required much money to make it suitable for rock concerts. The suburbs are especially in need of all-ages venues. It would have given the kids something to do and brought life to the downtown. For updates see: The Elginite blog

This was the last theater built in Elgin until the Marcus Fox Theatre opened more than 70 years later.

The Crocker mainly showed first-run movies and the seating capacity was 1600, rather than 1347. For most of the Crocker Theater's years, it was operated by Balaban & Katz chain.

You can tell a B&K theatre by the marquee and the color scheme on it.

according to our records, as of October 1, 1949, the crocker was part of the B and k Chain. for a complete list of theatres operated by B and k go to www.balabandkatzfoundation.com

David Balaban
Balaban and katz Foundation

according to our records, as of October 1, 1949, the crocker was part of the B and k Chain. for a complete list of theatres operated by B and k go to www.balabandkatzfoundation.com

David Balaban
Balaban and katz Foundation

according to our records, as of October 1, 1949, the crocker was part of the B and k Chain. for a complete list of theatres operated by B and k go to www.balabandkatzfoundation.com

David Balaban
Balaban and katz Foundation

I don't know where these number are coming from, but according to the book I have right beside me and the Elgin history web site, the correct seating capacity for the Crocker should be 1,600.

Proof can be found under ".4 Silver Screen and Crystal Sets" under chapter VII at this web site:

http://www.elginhistory.com/eaah/

just found this photo here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sethgaines/2768310/in/set-69734/

again, the font on the front of the marquee greatly resembled that of the riviera here in uptown chicago. i always recognize this because of the modern "sharply cut" lettering. must have been a b&k thing. i would bet the riv and the crocker's marquees were replaced during the same era.

just found this, on a related note:
http://elginite.org/blog/2006/04/27/how-the-crocker-could-have-been-saved/

The marquee unfortunately wasn't saved. I thought it looked great and it worked really well with the original building. The rest of the facade has, however, supposedly been put into storage by the city of Elgin.

The site of the Crocker Theater remains empty, and the state of the housing market implies it may stay empty for a long time.

If you're interested in following developments pertaining to the Crocker site and how it's redeveloped or Elgin news in general, you can grab a feed of my Elgin blog.

Here are two 1982 photos:

Photo1

Photo2