Liberty Theater
210 S. 4th Street,
Vandalia,
IL
62471
210 S. 4th Street,
Vandalia,
IL
62471
1 person
favorited this theater
Originally opened about 1910 as the Dixie Theater in the former Illinois state capitol of Vandalia, this small, still-single screen gem of a movie house was remodeled in an Art Deco style during the 1930’s, when it was renamed the Liberty Theater.
Its vibrant Deco-style marquee is one of the theater’s most noticeable features, with the word ‘Liberty’ in stylized cursive writing, lit in neon and framed in lightbulbs. The Liberty Theater featured first-run films and occasional live acts until it was closed in early 2008.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
This is a 2009 photo.
The “From the Boxoffice Files (Twenty Years Ago)” feature in the magazine’s issue of February 8, 1947, says that Harry Tanner had bought the Dixie Theatre in Vandalia from S.E. Pirtle.
The March 8, 1941, issue of Boxoffice Magazine reported on extensive fire damage to the Liberty Theatre building, with the total loss estimated at $80,000. The IOOF lodge on the third floor suffered $20,000 in equipment losses, and the building’s $20,000 air conditioning system was destroyed.
The theater was obviously repaired, but I’ve been unable to find a date for the reopening.
What’s the status for the Liberty Theater? Did the people who bought the theater give up on doing the redo work on it? Will the Liberty Theater ever reopen & show movies again ?
2007 photo of the Marquee.
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Couple more 2009 photos of the Liberty Theatre.
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2010 photo of the Liberty Theatre.
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After looking at the picture ( 2010 photo) of this theater that Chuck posted on April 20, 2010, shouldn’t the status for this theater be changed to closed ?
More photos of the Liberty Theatre.
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The Liberty was closed in 2008 due to major roof damage.
Here are some pictures I shot of the Liberty Theater this Summer on a drive through Illinois.
Liberty Theater pictures.