Grand Theater
N. Locust Street,
Centralia,
IL
62801
N. Locust Street,
Centralia,
IL
62801
1 person
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The Pittenger Grand Opera House was first built in 1900, destroyed by fire, and rebuilt in 1901 with the support of the citizens of Centralia.
It was the largest, most elegant theater south of Springfield with 1,200 seats, over 800 electric lights, a crude air conditioner, and perfumed air (to match the theme of the performance). The first moving pictures flickered at the Grand in 1905. The first “talkie” in Centralia was shown at the Illinois Theater in 1929.
Contributed by
Garrett Anderson
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The Grand Theater was demolished in 2002 per the Centralia City Council meeting minutes dated January 14, 2002.
A Robert-Morton theater organ size 2/5 was installed in the Grand Theater in 1921. Note: Moved in 1930 to Fox Theater Centralia Washington.
Before it was demolished, the Grand looked like this in 2001.
It was a skating rink in 1985:
http://tinyurl.com/dcardo
1982 Photo
I remember this place – sad to see it go!