Pekin Theater
21-29 S. Capitol Street,
Pekin,
IL
61554
21-29 S. Capitol Street,
Pekin,
IL
61554
3 people
favorited this theater
The Pekin Theater continued the striking style of Elmer Behrns (the Egyptian in Dekalb, Illinois and the Arcada in St. Charles, Illinois). The interior decor was Oriental including ancient Chinese pogodas and Chinese goddess figures. Similiar to other theaters of the late 20’s, the ceiling “stars” delivered the atmosphere to compliment the decor.
The Pekin closed in 1980 and was demolished seven years later.
Contributed by
Mark Lenaway
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Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987
Pekin Theatre ** (added 1987 – Building – #82002601)
Also known as Pekin Theatre Building
21—29 S. Capitol St., Pekin
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Behrns,Elmer E.
Architectural Style: Other
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Museum
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use
Here is a 1986 photo by Michael Putnam:
http://tinyurl.com/2r9csa
From the book Silent Screens, I thought this was a neat anecdote about the demolition of the Pekin Theater:
[i]“They called me up and said they had found something, a wallet at the Pekin Theater,” Robert D. king, age 56, of 7 Florentine Court, said. “I said, ‘Yeah, it’s mine. I lost it in 1959 or 1960.’”
from a report in the Pekin Daily Times (December 30, 1986) on the salvage operations at the Pekin Theater, where coins, wallets, and a class ring were found in the concrete ducts running beneath the main floor.[/i]
This is a circa 1929 postcard view of the Pekin Theater.
Check out this link for a couple pics.
http://hallk.blogspot.com/2011/06/pekin-theatre-pekin-illinois.html