Grand Theatre

The city council reversed the decision of the historical commission.
It is not a city landmark.

The Grand Theatre in Alton is now a city landmark. The historical commission voted to grant the old main street theatre landmark status.

swidscotch,
Lost Memory is no longer an active member of CT. More than likely he got the information from one of the web sites for theatre organs and the dates they were installed.

I am one of the three who spoke at the hearing in favor of the landmark status for the Grand Theatre in Alton, Illinois.
Grand theatre is valuable to the architectural heritage of Alton. The Grand represents, the broad national architectural and artistic patterns of United States history and contributes to our understanding and appreciation of those patterns.
I will speak to the Grand Theatres artistic value.
The Grand Theatre provides significant value for the study of a period, style and method of construction that brings exceptional international standards of beauty to Alton.
The architecture of the Grand Theatre is Art Deco which is based on a rhythmic arrangement of geometric shapes. it is widely considered to be an eclectic form of elegant modernism, being influenced by a variety of sources. The age of Modernity introduced new high speed forms of travel which exposed artists and designers to diverse international styles. This along with so-called “primitive” arts of Africa, as well as historical styles such as Greco-Roman Classicism, and the art of Babylon, Assyria, Ancient Egypt and Aztec Mexico.[3 ][22] Art Deco has been influenced in part by movements such as Cubism, Russian Constructivism and Italian Futurism,[15] which are all evident in Art Deco decorative arts.. Art Deco also drew on Machine Age and streamline technologies[16] such as modern aviation, electric lighting, the radio, the ocean liner and the skyscraper for inspiration.[3] Streamline Moderne was the final interwar-period development, which most thoroughly manifests technology. Art Deco was an opulent style, and its lavishness is attributed to reaction to the forced austerity imposed by World War I. Its rich, festive character fitted it for modern contexts, examples include The Arcada Theatre, in St. Charles it was designed by Elmer F. Behrns and opened in 1926 and the Pickwick theatre in Chicago built in 1929 listed on the national register of historic places.
The Grand Theatre has high quality examples of this past architectural style and unusual architectural characteristics that meet the criteria for landmark status.

Old architecture can be taken for granted. The beauty of our town lies in is the eclectic mixture of the Victorian, art deco and craftsmen style architecture. The diversity of architectural styles is a valid metaphor for the diversity of our citizens.

The Commissioners gave us nine days, starting today to submit any statements regarding the landmarks status. This status will subject the owner to limitations regarding demolition and construction of the building. It is the first step in securing a future for the theatre. It would also trigger potential funding for a NFP organization to buy and remodel it.
I have read the Grand Theatre evaluation for renovation and restoration report from Daniel P. Coffey and Associates. March 8, 1991.

The report was produced for the current owners of the building on a volunteer basis. The review was limited to a visual inspection of the facility.
-Daniel P. Coffey and Assoc. previous experience with theatre restoration.

A few Highlights from the report are here:

“Interior decorations are still visible today they can be attributed to the 1938 remodeling"
"The entrance façade is a traditional "main street” style.“
"The preliminary review of the theatre indicates the primary existing structure to be in good condition."
Under the Program analysis and requirements section of the Facility Master Plan it reads:
"The Grand Theatre was designed as a movie theatre and as such could easily function in this capacity again.”

All statement please send to the historical commission chairman at the address below:
Douglas Bader, Historical Commission Chairman
Alton City Hall 101 E 3rd St Alton, IL 62002r

Thank you all for your interest in the Grand.
Richard Osborn

This article is from the 09/19/2010 Alton Telegraph:

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From the article:

“ALTON – The Alton Historical Commission on Tuesday will consider whether it should designate the old Grand Theatre as a city historical landmark.

A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 101 E. Third St.

Commissioners will have 30 days to review testimony and submitted information and make a decision, which could be appealed to the City Council.

Bill McKenzie of Alton this summer spearheaded an effort to get the 90-year-old building, 230 Market St., placed on the city’s landmark list so it might qualify for tax credits for renovations.

He brought his supporting information to a commission meeting Aug. 17. Members voted to grant the hearing, despite property owner Ed McPike’s contention that the structure is not historically significant."

Another 2009 photo of the Grand Theatre in Alton
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Here is a November 1949 ad from the Alton Evening Telegraph:
http://tinyurl.com/ojbcbb

Another 2009 photo is here.

A 1996 view of the Grand Theater in Alton. (Looks like a “Grand” sign on the right corner of the building behind the tree.)

Here is a photo of the Grand Theater.

I recently found out that Edward Mcpike owns it, I can’t believe that anyone could let an amazing building like that go to waste.

My first job, in the summer of ‘62, was as an usher at the Grand (and also the Princess, which was owned by the same company.) The Grand was referred to as the “A” house; the Princess as the “B” house. The job paid fifty cents an hour, though minimum wage back then was a buck an hour. Wondered then and now how that worked…

Popcorn was popped well in advance in a basement area under the stage and put up in large paper sacks. It got a bit stale, and, from time to time, a moldy kernal turned up. NEVER eat green popcorn!

I worked at the Grand Theater when I was 16 as my first job during Halloween Season. It was 1992. I remember the worked telling me that the place is haunted by a guy that hung himself on the stage. The place was freaky even when the lights were on. There are also Fill reels in the attic that cannot be removed because strange things will happen to the people. I also have photos of it from 1993 at www.bephotos.net im a photographer and have ther pics from Alton on there under “ Old Town Living”. I also was working on the stage one night and somthing hit my sholder and nobody was around. I was very freaked.
Tara Broadway