Zoe Theatre

209 N. Madison Street,
Pittsfield, IL 62363

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Zoe Theatre

The Zoe Theatre opened on Seoptember 17, 1950, and features a distinctive late-Streamline facade and unusual modernistic style marquee. It has an intimate auditorium, with seating in orchestra and balcony levels. A cry room was provided in the rear of the balcony.

The Zoe Theatre has been closed since 1987.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 38 comments)

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on March 1, 2006 at 4:27 pm

Good lord. I can’t even read to the end of this thing…a nice piece of writing I would bet was crafted by Paul himself.

Still no news on the Zoe Theatre.

Patrick: doesn’t THIS violate your terms of use?!?

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on May 14, 2009 at 9:01 am

Doorway and aluminum ladder are a nice touch.

route66sue
route66sue on July 20, 2009 at 5:09 pm

I live near Pittsfield and used to drive by the Zoe every time I was in town. I haven’t went by it in about 6 months or so as it just continues to sit empty. Maybe I should check it out and see how the restoration is coming (??).
If I had the money I would buy the theater myself and fix it up to be a working theater again.
I don’t believe you need surveys and all to see what the public wants as the proof is down the highway at the Clark 54 Drive In in Summer Hill. The owner continues to make improvements each season.
The City of Quincy had every committee possible “consulting” on the Washington Theater and now I hear it has been sold. I recent drive by the old Washington Theater shows it in worse shape then when they first took it over. Maybe I just don’t understand, but less talk, more action…the Zoe can still be saved if it just happens.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on June 18, 2010 at 10:07 am

A new, local group has formed, the Zoe Preservation Society, which has launched efforts to fully restore the Zoe. Their first step is to restore the marquee which they hope to accomplish by Christmas, 2010. Story here: View link

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on June 18, 2010 at 11:50 am

Good Luck,Zoe Preservaion Society.Some good stories to read.

dawn2394
dawn2394 on September 7, 2012 at 11:31 pm

Actually the Zoe Theatre was still open on November 13th 1981 because my future husband and I seen Endless Love there. It closed sometime after 1981.

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on February 12, 2013 at 7:11 pm

The photos lostmemory posted from 1985 refute the assertion that the Zoe closed in 1982. A recent newspaper article about the Zoe being named to the National Register of Historic Places states that the theatre closed in 1987.

stingwicki
stingwicki on February 13, 2017 at 1:33 pm

My former organization Two Rivers Regional Council procured funding and helped move the Theater through the designation process. Although this should have paved the way for funding and redevelopment opportunities, it appears the theater condition has not seen any progress since 2012.

Stephen Holowicki

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 2, 2018 at 11:07 pm

The September 23, 1950, issue of Boxoffice said that the Zoe Theatre had been opened by the Armentrout Circuit. Some of the houses in the circuit were called the Clark Theatre, after founder Clark Armentrout. This house was named for Clark’s granddaughter Zoe, daughter of Russell Armentrout.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 29, 2020 at 8:49 pm

Additional history credit Lisa Ruble. “Zoe Theatre in Pittsfield was named after Clark’s granddaughter Zoe Armentrout (1929-1992). Zoe was the daughter of Russell, Clark’s son, who was also involved with the theatres.” 1960 image added.

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