American Theatre

djent on August 6, 2026 at 12:46 am

Known as the MAJESTIC THEATER and at one time the AMERICAN THEATER they were located at 142 West Broadway, JOHNSTON CITY, ILLINOIS. The image is from December 1955, and is in the Digital Photograph Archives of the Morris Library, SIU-C.

OF NOTE: Louie Moroni owned and operated three theaters in Johnston City, the first venue was an outdoor theater where the present Post Office is located or directly across Broadway of the location of the former Majestic/American Theater. He then he Opened the Majestic Theater by 1915 at 142 West Broadway area, and the Palace Theater on East Broadway he opened by 1920, selling the Palace Theater to the Cluster Family in 1927, with the Cluster Family donating the Palace Theater building to the Johnston City School District. It became in such disrepair, see comments on the Palace Theater page, to learn of its demise.

Located also on Broadway in the 200 Block of East Broadway on the south side, and on the second floor, was the OPERA HOUSE, which is depicted on the 1914, Sanborn Fire Maps, and in the local school history, was used to hold High School Graduation events during the 1910’s and earlier.