Midway Theatre
721 E. State Street,
Rockford,
IL
61104
721 E. State Street,
Rockford,
IL
61104
13 people
favorited this theater
Opened on August 3, 1918, this former movie house last hosted various live performances, from comedians to metal concerts. It appears to have closed around 2006.
Contributed by
Paul Salley, Charlton F. Quinn
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Recent comments (view all 54 comments)
I have formed The Midway center – Gateway Foundation and now have control of the Theater.
We are a 501.c.3 non-profit and intend to bring her back to life with a solid business foundation and much more.
We are seeking foundation volunteers to help in all aspects of this project but most importantly fund raisers.
Please E-mail me at if you would like to volunteer in any way.
Go to:
http://www.midwaycenter.org
for more information
Is there 2 different groups trying to save the Midway?
A 3/13 Moller was installed in the theatre in 1918.
Hi, I currently live in Austin but I am a Rockford native and was recently driving past the midway theatre and found your website. Every time I come home I wonder about the state of the beautiful old buildings in downtown. Can anyone give me any info on the status of this project? has anyone really purchased the building? I am an architect and would love to lend a hand in the revitalization of the Midway. I can do renderings or drawings of potential floor plans/design ideas to help with fundraising and marketing. I think restoring this theatre would go a long way to helping the city get some life back.
Lost Memory, the photo date for your post of May 17th, 2009. Should be 1963 not 1983. That site put the wrong year for that photo.
jhallock, Check out the 7/24/09 post by Sonny D.
That appears to be the most current organization involved in saving the Midway. There is a website link embedded in that post.
Yep, the Coca Cola logo on the luncheonette was used in the 50’s and 60’s….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwKjm5T4TVE
I uploaded the grand opening ad from 1918 as well as two pictures from the paper in this theatre’s photo section.
Recent news has Cheap Trick planning an upcoming museum restaurant/venue on Record Row/South Michigan Ave. in Chicago. Whatever became of the hotel complex plans Rick Nielsen had in Rockford? It was in the paper before the economic turn down. But then never heard of again. Was the Midway ever considered for that? The Midway could be a perfect sister venue to whatever they are planning in Chicago. Rick owns a piece of Piece, a pizza/bar in Chicago on North Ave. But surely a hometown investment would seem fitting too.