Stanley Theatre
113 S. Main Street,
Galena,
IL
61036
113 S. Main Street,
Galena,
IL
61036
1 person
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Circa 1931 photo added courtesy of Darla Zailskas.
It’s now 2014. Has the theater been brought back to life yet?
I do have current photos of the theater inside and out…I hope to post one when this site allows photos again.. or email me and il send you some.
If the building hasnt been converted by 2014, I will be taking on the task of bringing the old theater back to life..It will have a Historical old clean look to it but it will be COMPLETELY DIGITAL PICTURE AND SOUND…“Its The Way Of The Future”
Kevin Patrick Dwyer/Santow
A friend just told me he was part of an effort to turn the Stanley into a legit theater. He said it was before Field of Dreams shot there, so it was probably the early to mid 80s. They poured their savings into restoring the place, which they called The Gallery Playhouse. As it turns out, an amusement park opened that summer just a few miles away, and all the tourists they were expecting went there instead. All the local businesses suffered. And The Gallery Playhouse quietly went out of business.
My wife and I visited Galena last week and we came across this building. It currently houses mostly crafts and art work for homes. This building could easily be converted back to a theater. The stage is still in place as well as the curtain. Much of the lighting seems to be in place as well. No seats are currently in what was the theater. Galena seems to be a place that would support a small art house theater. I think they are really missing the boat by not using this space as it was intended. My wife and I had to drive to Dubuque to see a movie – a good 15 miles away.