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Pekin Theatre

Pekin, Illinois, USA

First Opened: 27th November 1928 (95 years ago)

Atmospheric Style: Chinese

Architect: Elmer F. Behrens

Status: Demolished

Address: 21-29 S. Capitol Street, Pekin, IL 61554

Overview

The Pekin Theatre opened in late 1928, designed by architect Elmer F. Behrens, who also designed the Egyptian Theatre in Dekalb, Illinois.

The 1,000-seat Atmospheric theatre featured an Oriental theme, with Chinese pagodas and goddess figures. The theatre was equipped with a 3-manual, 11-rank Hinners theatre organ, one of only three Hinners theatre organs ever built.

The Pekin Theatre closed in 1980 and was demolished seven years later.

Further Reading

Online

The Pekin Theatre on Cinema Treasures.

Historic Photos & Documents

Auditorium, date unknown, courtesy <i>Graeme McBain</i> (JPG)

Auditorium, date unknown, courtesy Graeme McBain (JPG)

Exterior circa 1963, courtesy <i>hallk.blogspot.com</i> (JPG)

Exterior circa 1963, courtesy hallk.blogspot.com (JPG)

Auditorium, date unknown, courtesy <i>Bud Taubert</i> (JPG)

Auditorium, date unknown, courtesy Bud Taubert (JPG)

Auditorium circa 1970, courtesy Cinema Treasures user <i>waldopapnyk</i> (JPG)

Auditorium circa 1970, courtesy Cinema Treasures user waldopapnyk (JPG)

Demolition in 1987, courtesy <i>Bud Taubert</i> (JPG)

Demolition in 1987, courtesy Bud Taubert (JPG)

Sculpture from the theatre’s interior which is now housed in a Pekin museum, courtesy <i>hallk.blogspot.com</i> (JPG)

Sculpture from the theatre’s interior which is now housed in a Pekin museum, courtesy hallk.blogspot.com (JPG)

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Photographs copyright © 2002-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos unless otherwise noted.

Text copyright © 2017-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos.

For photograph licensing and/or re-use contact me here .