Lincoln Theatre

329 S. 5th Street,
Springfield, IL 62701

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fox Midwest Theatres, Frisina Amusement Company

Firms: Bullard & Bullard

Styles: Neo-Classical

Previous Names: Princess Theatre, Fox Theatre

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News About This Theater

Lincoln Theatre

Along with the former Majestic Theatre (better known as the Roxy Theatre), the Princess Theatre was one of the earlier legitimate theatres opened on Springfield’s 5th Street, in 1884, the same year as the Majestic Theatre.

Later, like the Majestic Theatre, the Princess Theatre switched to vaudeville, and after that, to movies.

By the 1920’s, it was renamed the Fox Theatre and was operated by Fox Midwest Theatres, and on November 29, 1928 it was renamed Lincoln Theatre and operated by the Frisina Amusement Co.

When it closed in 1976, the Lincoln Theatre had been screening adult fare for several years.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 31, 2012 at 4:54 pm

The December 22, 1928, issue of Motion Picture News said that Dominick Fresna had opened the remodeled Princess Theatre at Springfield, Illinois, as the Lincoln Theatre on Thanksgiving Day.

cardsfans15
cardsfans15 on September 6, 2012 at 10:48 am

does anyone have any pictures of the inside of this theater? i’m interested in the kind of lighting they used.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 9, 2012 at 8:43 pm

Considering the history of this theater given above, I’m a bit puzzled by this item from the April 11, 1914, issue of The Moving Picture World:

“Remodeling of the Unity Building at the corner of Fifth street and Capitol avenue, to be used as the home of the new Princess Moving Picture Theater, has begun.”

Matthew Prigge
Matthew Prigge on November 9, 2012 at 10:53 am

If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre in its adult days, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at Thanks!

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 27, 2014 at 1:38 pm

The April 3, 1920 issue of Motion Picture News said that the Princess Theatre in Springfield, Illinois (though the headline mistakenly identified the city as Springfield, Massachusetts) was being expanded and remodeled with plans by the architectural firm of Bullard & Bullard. A Web page about the firm reveals that they were also the original architects of the building.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 27, 2015 at 9:50 am

November 29th, 1928 grand opening ad in photo section.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on August 21, 2018 at 3:08 pm

7/31/58 photo added credit Springfield Rewind Facebook page.

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