Auburn Theater
1120-24 Auburn Street,
Rockford,
IL
61103
1120-24 Auburn Street,
Rockford,
IL
61103
1 person
favorited this theater
This Streamline-style movie house, which opened in 1942, features an undulating facade, with two-story tall glass block windows illuminating the lobby space.
The Auburn Theater closed in 1967, and was afterwards converted over to retail use.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
I saw a couple of shows there in the mid 1960s. They weren’t very well attended, which explains, I suppose, why the theatre closed in 1967. But the place had a wonderful feel to it, especially for being built in the stream-lined era. I wish it were still open.
A photo of the Auburn Theatre.
View link courtesy seth
The theater is currently occupied by Alpha Floral. A peek through the front window reveals that at least some of the lobby decor is still intact.
Photos can be seen here.
From Boxoffice magazine in March 1958:
ROCKFORD-The Auburn Theatre has been reopened at the request of local citizens by J.J. McFarland Theatres. Phil Zeller, city manager for the circuit, said the Auburn’s new policy would be 6 p.m. to midnight showings, seven nights weekly. The McFarland circuit also operates the Park, Family, Rex and Capitol theatres here and the State Theatre in Sycamore.
Chicago architect Edward Paul Lewin designed the Auburn Theatre according to Boxoffice Magazine’s issue of February 22, 1941.
Some more photos of the former Auburn Theatre. Click each photo cor a larger view.
http://www.agilitynut.com/06/7/ilstr3.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/06/7/ilstr2.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/06/7/ilstr.jpg
On the cornerstone the date is 1942 along with the architects name, Edward Paul Lewin.
This opened in April 9th, 1942. Very small grand opening ad has been posted here.
The recently opened Auburn Theatre was described in this 1942 trade article: boxofficemagazine