Zoe Theatre
209 N. Madison Street,
Pittsfield,
IL
62363
209 N. Madison Street,
Pittsfield,
IL
62363
5 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Architects: Ted Dell
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 11, 2014 — Passionate fans fight to save the Zoe
- Feb 5, 2013 — Pittsfield movie theater debuts on National Register
- May 1, 2012 — Group sets sights on National Register listing for shuttered Pittsfield theater
- Jun 24, 2010 — Restoration of marquee to be first step in reopening Zoe Theater
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
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Recent comments (view all 38 comments)
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?!?
Doorway and aluminum ladder are a nice touch.
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.
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
Good Luck,Zoe Preservaion Society.Some good stories to read.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.