Illini Theatre

1611 5th Avenue,
Moline, IL 61265

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dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on June 9, 2019 at 4:58 am

The Illini Theatre closed December 20, 1953 with “Vicki” and “Miss Robin Crusoe.” Five days later the theatre moved to the former LeClaire Theatre as the New Illini Theatre on December 25, 1953. The former Illini was retrofitted for other retail purposes.

rivest266
rivest266 on April 25, 2019 at 9:38 pm

This opened on November 13th, 1941 and closed in 1951. Illini theatre openingIllini theatre opening Wed, Nov 12, 1941 – 15 · The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois) · Newspapers.com

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on June 3, 2014 at 10:20 pm

There might have been a theater on the site of the Illini even before the bank that was later converted into the Illini was built in 1920. This item comes from the October 26, 1912, issue of The Moving Picture World:

“Moline, Ill — A contract has been let for the erection of a new theater for Rufus Walker. Location 1611 Fifth Avenue. Cost $12,000.”
I don’t know if Mr. Walker’s theater got built or not, but if it was it must have been demolished eight years later to make way for the bank building that became the Illini Theatre in 1941, or perhaps part of it was incorporated into the new building.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on June 3, 2014 at 6:26 pm

The Illini Theatre has not been demolished. It is listed as a contributing property in Moline’s Downtown Commercial Historic District. The structure was built in 1920 as a bank and converted into a theater in 1941. After closing as a theater it was converted into a Walgreen’s drug store. In the current Google street view the building is vacant.

Hodson
Hodson on November 13, 2013 at 5:45 am

I just read the blurb about the LeClaire Theater, which might have explained my confusion that I mentioned above. There was a theater by the LeClaire Hotel, that must be what I am thinking of.(which I thought the name of was Illini). And I still don’t know where in the block the Illini Theater was!

Hodson
Hodson on November 13, 2013 at 5:36 am

Could this possibly be an incorrect address? The 1600 block is all older buildings, no “empty” spot or newer building where the theater would have been. I remember going to this theater as a child and think that it was nearer to the former LeClair Hotel, which would put it in the 1800 block.