Senate Theater
509 E. Monroe Street,
Springfield,
IL
62701
509 E. Monroe Street,
Springfield,
IL
62701
1 person favorited this theater
Showing 12 comments
Uploaded demolition photo from 1983
1968 exterior view uploaded to photos
Golffanatc, your photo has been added crediting Sangamon Valley Archives.
Another photo from the Sangamon Valley collection in 1948 featuring “The Babe Ruth Story” is available here:
https://lincpubl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/public/index.assetbox.assetactionicon_0.view/1000213?rm=ARCHITECTURE+-1%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7Ctrue
February 2017 article with a 1981 photo of the Senate.
http://illinoistimes.com/article-18328-dodge-bashing-downtown.html
Architect Carl T. Meyer updated the Senate in 1939 for Kerasotes Circuit. Before and after shots in photos
Uploaded a vintage exterior photo.
I remember when this theatre burned down. But can’t recall for sure if it had already closed. Seems like it was still operating when it caught fire.
1939, 1966 and October 27th, 1978 (2 screens) ads also uploaded.
May 11th, 1929 in photo section.
Two photos of the Senate Theatre from the Illinois Digital Archives:
Front view, January, 1949
Marquee and entrance by night, 1946
This 2009 article about the centennial of Kerasotes Theatres indicates that Gus Kerasotes bought the Gaiety Theatre and renamed it the Senate in 1929. The Senate was the last theater operating in downtown Springfield when it closed in 1983.
Here is a 1946 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/mdpq4v