Arcada Theater Building - St. Charles, Illinois
Posted by: BruceS
N 41° 54.826 W 088° 18.742
16T E 391165 N 4641034
Historic theater building located in St. Charles, Illinois.
Waymark Code: WMVC1
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 10/15/2006
Views: 64
The Arcada was opened 1926 to much fanfare. The building was built by local
millionaire Lester J. Norris at a cost of $500,000. The three story building was
designed by Elmer Berhns in Spanish Colonial Revival style. The building was
extensively decorated when it opened September 6, 1926 with a showing of the
silent film "The Last Frontier" and vaudeville acts of Fibber McGee and Molly
Lora. The guests also heard a recital from the $25,000 Marr and Colton silver
and red organ. Over the years the Aracda became known for its vaudeville acts
along with other live entertainment including George Burns and Gracie Allen,
Edgar Bergen and Charile McCarthy, Olivia DeHavillan, Vincent Price and the John
Phillips Sousa Band.
The nearly 1,000 seat theater building has been renovated recently including
the pipe organ. The building is used for a performing arts center along with
other shops.