Will Rogers Theater
101 E. Main Street,
Collinsville,
IL
101 E. Main Street,
Collinsville,
IL
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Opened in 1936 on Main Street in Collinsville, the Will Rogers was named for the cowboy/philosopher/movie star who died in a airplane crash in 1935. Other Illinois movie houses named for Will Rogers were located in Chicago and Charleston. The theater was designed by the Boller Brothers.
Unfortunately, this sleek Art Moderne style theater was no match for the popularity of the nearby Miners Theater, and the Will Rogers closed after just a few years in operation. It was converted into a store afterward, and remained so for years. It has most recently housed a coffee house.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
Both the Will Rogers and the Miners Theatres were operated by Sam Komm.
In the last years of operation as a movie theatre the Miners was operated by Bloomer Amusement Co. (BAC) out of Belleville with their offices located on Charles St.
Thanks for bringing that up, JAlex. I read recently that Komm opened the Will Rogers (in an existing building remodeled by the Boller firm) to head off competition from other exhibitors: Another company would be less likely to move into Collinsville if Komm had two theaters downtown instead of just one! At this time, the Will Rogers building is for sale. The most distinctive remainder from the Boller design is a pair of very 1930s staircases leading to the balcony.