Chicago Theatre
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Jeannie Black
Chicago, IL is home to a fantastic example
of theatre restoration in the form of the Chicago Theatre. The
1986 restoration of this Chicago landmark in the North Loop allows visitors
and residents alike to enjoy live entertainment.
Lorraine Theatre
Hoopeston, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
The Lorraine Theatre is one of those small-town theaters that immediately catches your eye. When this photo was taken, its front facade reminded me of an old fire station, making it one of the more unusual theater buildings I've come across. Even though it was closed at the time, it still looked like it belonged on Main Street.
Originally opening in 1922, the Lorraine entertained Hoopeston moviegoers for generations before the lights finally went out. Thankfully, the building survived, and local volunteers refused to let another neighborhood theater disappear.
There's something special about finding old theaters like this on a road trip. Every one has its own personality, and the Lorraine is certainly one you won't mistake for any other.
UPDATE: After years of restoration, the Lorraine Theatre has reopened as a movie and live entertainment venue. Its historic marquee once again welcomes visitors to downtown Hoopeston. 07-26
Maumee Theatre
Maumee, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
The Maumee Theatre is one of those classic Art Deco movie houses that's impossible to drive past without taking a second look. Its colorful vertical sign has been welcoming moviegoers for generations, and it's a great reminder of a time when every town had its own neighborhood theater. 04-06
UPDATE: According to the Toledo
Blade newspaper, over $3M of restoration work for this theater has
been approved by the Maumee City Council and will start in the next few
weeks. "The theater at Anthony Wayne Trail and Conant Street will
be a venue for both performing arts and movies." Many
thanks to Jerry Kellogg for update. 07-03
Opening in 1946, the Maumee spent decades entertaining local audiences before closing in the 1990s. Fortunately, the building was saved and carefully restored instead of being lost, preserving one of downtown Maumee's most recognizable landmarks.
If you're passing through town, it's worth stopping for a closer look. Better yet, catch a movie or show inside and enjoy one of Ohio's classic theaters that's still doing what it was built to do.
UPDATE: The Maumee Theatre continues to operate as a movie theater and live performance venue, with its beautifully restored Art Deco sign remaining one of downtown Maumee's signature sights. 07-26
Irving Theatre
Indianapolis, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
The Irving Theatre has been a landmark in Indianapolis' Irvington neighborhood for well over a century. When this photo was taken, the theater had been closed for quite some time and was sitting empty, but its classic marquee and vertical sign still hinted at better days.
Opening in 1913, the Irving welcomed generations of moviegoers before eventually going dark. Fortunately, the building was saved instead of being lost, giving this neighborhood favorite a second chance.
One of the best parts of photographing old theaters is seeing how many of them eventually find new life. The Irving is a great example of that, proving these old buildings still have plenty to offer long after the last movie has played.
UPDATE: The Irving Theatre has been restored and now serves as a popular live music and community event venue. Its historic sign once again welcomes visitors to one of Indianapolis' oldest neighborhood theaters. 07-26
Emerson Theatre
Indianapolis, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
The Emerson Theatre is hard to miss. Its bright yellow exterior and vintage marquee stand out from just about everything around it, making it one of the more colorful theater buildings in Indianapolis. It may have started life as a neighborhood movie house, but today it's known for something entirely different. 04-06
Originally opening in 1927, the theater eventually traded movies for live music and became one of the city's best-known venues for punk, rock, and independent bands. The old marquee remains, giving the building plenty of the character that made it worth photographing in the first place.
It's always nice to see an old theater continue entertaining people, even if the show has changed over the years.
UPDATE: The Emerson Theatre remains an active all-ages live music venue, continuing to host concerts while its colorful facade and vintage marquee remain familiar landmarks on Indianapolis' east side. 07-26
Bryan Theatre
Bryan, OH Photo courtesy Jay Lin
The Bryan Theatre is one of those old neighborhood movie houses that's impossible to ignore when you're driving through downtown. The Art Deco marquee immediately caught my attention, and although it looked like it could use a few replacement bulbs, I almost preferred it that way. It had the look of a theater that had been entertaining people for decades and wasn't about to let a few burned-out lights slow it down. 04-06
UPDATE: The Bryan Theatre is a multi-screen theatre still featuring first-run movies. The letters for the front marquee is of the small bulb type. For a look at what's playing here, check out the Bryan Theatre website. 04-09
The Bryan first opened in the 1930s and has remained a familiar part of downtown ever since. Unlike so many small-town theaters that disappeared over the years, this one is still doing what it was built to do. That's becoming harder and harder to find.
I've always enjoyed stopping to photograph old theaters like this. They all seem to have their own personality. Some are polished and fully restored, while others wear their age a little more proudly. Either way, they remind me of a time when Saturday night meant heading downtown, buying a ticket, and watching the latest movie under a glowing marquee.
Bryan Theatre
Bryan, OH Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Bryan may not be the biggest theater around, but it's exactly the kind of place that makes road trips worthwhile. You never know what you'll find around the next corner, and sometimes it's an old movie theater that's been quietly welcoming people for generations.
UPDATE: The Bryan Theatre continues to operate as a community movie theater, and its classic Art Deco marquee remains one of the most recognizable sights in downtown Bryan. 07-26
Lorraine Theatre
Maumee Theatre
Irving Theatre
Emerson Theatre
Bryan Theatre
Bryan Theatre
