Coronado Performing Arts Center

314 N. Main Street,
Rockford, IL 61101

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Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford, IL - balcony

Viewing: Photo | Street View

The Coronado Theatre opened on October 8, 1927 as a lavish, 2,440-seat Atmospheric style movie palace rivaling those built in Chicago. The theater carried on its tradition of showing movies and stage shows well into the 1960’s, hosting stars such as Sammy Davis Jr., Milton Berle, and many more.

In 1970, Kerasotes Theatres purchased the Coronado Theatre. A few years later, in 1979, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1984, the Coronado Theatre was forced to end the movie exhibition portion of its business due to declining revenues.

In 1997, the theatre was donated by the Kerasotes family to the city of Rockford and a multi-million renovation began. The 2,400-seat theater has now reopened and is used for concerts and stage shows.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 48 comments)

lostmemory
lostmemory on April 9, 2009 at 10:42 pm

This is the Coronado Theater at night.

Chuck1231
Chuck1231 on July 4, 2009 at 12:32 am

1982 Interior photo of the Coronado
View link

jwballer
jwballer on January 12, 2010 at 5:25 pm

Theatre appears at # 31 on 150 places to visit if you are in illinois
http://www.illinoisgreatplaces.com/

jwballer
jwballer on March 30, 2010 at 5:19 pm

A 4/17 Barton was installed in the theatre in 1927.

jwballer
jwballer on November 27, 2010 at 7:09 pm

Why does it still have the Kerasotes on the marquee?

rivest266
rivest266 on November 26, 2011 at 11:20 am

I have uploaded the full-page grand opening grand opening ad from October 8th, 1927 as well as an close-up of the text on that ad. It can be found on this theatre’s photo page.

R8teco
R8teco on August 2, 2012 at 10:39 pm

Awesome theater! My masters graduation was there!!!

btkrefft
btkrefft on December 3, 2012 at 11:20 pm

A photo I took of the Coronado on 12/1/12 can be seen here.

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