Capitol Theatre
1122 S. Main Street,
Rockford,
IL
61101
1122 S. Main Street,
Rockford,
IL
61101
1 person
favorited this theater
The 1931 Capitol Theatre was designed in Spanish Colonial style on South Main Street, faced with buff-colored brick, a set of four arched windows over the main entrance, terra-cotta medallions just under the cornice and a deep red Spanish tile roof. The movie house could seat over 1000.
Though it closed as a theater during the 70s, the former Capitol now serves as a billiard hall and Mexican restaurant, Taco Loco.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
The marquee of the Capitol can be seen in this photo, dated 1928 (actually it’s a photo of the young woman who was the Capitol’s first cashier standing in front of the theater). I’m guessing my earlier description of the theater above saying it was opened in 1931 must be incorrect. It must’ve opened closer to 1928, if Miss Martignoni in the photo was the first cashier there. Also IMDB shows a release date of 1929 for the movie showing on the marquee, “The Sophomore” so the photo must be from 1929 or later not 1928.
Another view of the Capitol showing its huge vertical sign and ornate marquee can be seen here.
Does anyone know the name of the theater that was almost right next door to Virgili’s Supper Club on S. Main? It closed, I think, in the 1960s … there was a rather sensational murder years later, in which the body was found in the upstairs of the building. I can’t think of the name. Thanks for any help.
Bryan
The Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois book lists that it opened in 1931 and closed in 1970.The exterior photo from digital past features cars from either 1930’s or 1940’s,they definitely don’t look like vehicles from the 1920’s.
Here is a re-post of Bryan’s 1928 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2beu5z
Here is what the former Capitol Theater building looks like today.
Do you think that car has been sitting in front of the theater since 1928? It may have picked up a few tickets since then.
how much would it cost to purchase the theatre and what would the terms of use and service be?
The Capitol had a three manual, nine rank Kilgen theatre organ, Opus 4008. Ranks were Bourdon/Concert Flute, VdO, Diapason, VdO Celeste, Saxophone in the Main (probably right)chamber; and Tibia, Tuba, Kinura and Vox Humana in the Solo chamber on the other side of the theater. Percussions included Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Marimba and Chimes. Traps on Accompaniment (bottom) manual keyboard were Snare Drum, Tambourine, Castanet, “Chinese” Wood Block and Sand Block. Traps on Pedal keyboard were Bass Drum/“Tympani” Roll and Cymbal. Only the Accompaniment manual had second touch. Another Kilgen model UO 20, nearly identical to the Capitol’s is still playing where originally installed, the Canton, Ohio Palace Theater. The Kilgen organ from Rockford’s Capitol Theater is still playing in a private residence in nearby Pecatonica, IL.
This opened on October 4th, 1928. I have posted its grand opening ad as well as two photos in this theatre’s photo section.