Royal Oak Music Theatre
Royal Oak, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The bright vertical sign of the Royal Oak Music Theatre has been catching the attention of visitors to downtown Royal Oak for generations. It's one of those classic marquees that reminds you when an evening at the theater was the highlight of a night on the town. See more information at the Royal Oak Music Theatre site.08-08
The theater opened in 1928 as the Kunsky Royal Oak, welcoming audiences for silent films and vaudeville before eventually finding a new life as a live entertainment venue. Today, concerts, comedy shows, and touring productions fill the stage instead of movies, but the building has never lost its vintage character.
It's always nice to see an old theater adapt instead of disappear. The Royal Oak Music Theatre continues to light up downtown, proving that some classic marquees never go out of style.
UPDATE: The Royal Oak Music Theatre remains one of metro Detroit's premier live entertainment venues, with its historic marquee still shining over downtown Royal Oak. 07-26
Washington Theatre
Quincy, IN Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Washington Theatre has been part of downtown Quincy for more than a century, and even sitting quietly today it still has the look of a grand movie palace. It's easy to picture the crowds that once gathered beneath its marquee for an evening of entertainment. 09-08
The theater opened in 1924 as the Washington Square Theatre, hosting vaudeville acts and silent films before later becoming a full-time movie theater. It also introduced Quincy audiences to their first talking picture, adding another chapter to its long history.
After closing in 1982, the theater faced an uncertain future. Fortunately, local preservation efforts have kept the building alive, with restoration continuing in hopes that the Washington will once again welcome audiences.
UPDATE: Restoration work continues on the Washington Theatre as plans move forward to bring this downtown landmark back to life. 07-26
Hoosier Theatre
Whiting, IN Photo and info courtesy Kevin Heggi
The Hoosier Theatre has been lighting up downtown Whiting since 1924. With its grand façade and classic marquee, it's easy to imagine the excitement of opening night when moviegoers and vaudeville audiences first walked through its doors. 10-08
The theater was built as both a vaudeville house and movie palace, and for many years it even had a twin. The nearly identical Garden Theatre once stood a few miles away in nearby Indiana Harbor, but that building has long since disappeared, making the Hoosier all the more special.
After decades of entertaining the community, the theater was carefully restored and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it continues welcoming audiences with movies, concerts, comedy, and live performances, proving that this old theater still has plenty of life left in it.
UPDATE: The Hoosier Theatre remains an active entertainment venue in downtown Whiting, with its historic marquee continuing to light up 119th Street. 07-26
The Glen Theatre (Closed)
Gary, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
The Glen Theatre is an old neighborhood theatre located in Gary, IN. The billboard is now blank as the theatre is closed. The Glen is now open as a performing arts and African-American venue. The new face brick you see was done about three years ago, the original face was yellow glazed brick, kind of plain, but original. Many thanks to Kevin Heggi for info. 10-08
Although its days as a movie house are over, the Glen wasn't lost like so many other neighborhood theaters. Instead, it found a new purpose as a performing arts and community venue, continuing to welcome people through its doors in a different way.
It's always nice to see an old theater survive, even if it has taken on a new role. The movies may be gone, but the Glen Theatre is still part of the neighborhood it has served for generations.
UPDATE: The Glen Theatre continues to operate as a community performing arts and cultural venue in Gary's Glen Park neighborhood. 07-26
Town Theatre (Gone)
Highland, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
The Town Theatre was one of those neighborhood movie houses that once seemed to exist in every town. With its Art Deco styling and classic marquee, it must have been a welcome sight for moviegoers along Kennedy Avenue. 10-08
The theater opened in the late 1940s as a single-screen theater and later became known for showing foreign and art films during the 1970s. One tradition that set it apart was its intermission, when audiences were treated to complimentary cake and coffee before the movie continued.
After sitting vacant for years, there was hope the Town Theatre could be restored as part of Highland's downtown revitalization. Unfortunately, the building had deteriorated beyond repair and was demolished in 2017, bringing an end to one of the community's longtime landmarks.
UPDATE: The Town Theatre no longer survives. The site was cleared in 2017 after restoration plans proved impractical because of the building's condition. 07-26
Boarman's Roxy Theatre
Shelbyville, IL Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The bright marquee of Boarman's Roxy Theatre is one of those sights that instantly makes a downtown feel alive. Walking along Main Street in Shelbyville, it's easy to imagine families gathering here on a Friday night just as they have for generations. 11-08
The building's story stretches back well before it became the Roxy. Originally built as a live performance theater in the late 1800s, it was transformed into the New Roxy Theatre in 1936 and became Shelbyville's hometown movie house. For thirty years it entertained local audiences before closing in 1966, ending an era that many feared would never return.
Boarman's Roxy Theatre
Shelbyville, IL Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
For decades the old theater served other purposes, and like so many neighborhood theaters, it looked as though its days of showing movies were over. Thankfully, local businessman Bob Boarman and a dedicated group of volunteers believed the building deserved another chance. Their efforts brought the theater back to life, complete with a beautiful new marquee that recaptured the spirit of the original. In a fitting tribute, the theater reopened in 2003 with a showing of Mary Poppins—the very same film that had played on its final night back in 1966.
Today the Roxy blends old and new, offering modern picture and sound while still feeling like a classic small-town movie theater. It's another reminder that some of the best roadside discoveries aren't just old buildings—they're places that communities refused to give up on.
UPDATE: Boarman's Roxy Theatre continues welcoming audiences with first-run movies, combining modern digital projection with the charm of a restored hometown theater. 07-26
Royal Oak Music Theatre
Washington Theatre
Hoosier Theatre
The Glen Theatre (Closed)
Town Theatre (Gone)
Boarman's Roxy Theatre
Boarman's Roxy Theatre
