Silent Era Information*Progressive Silent Film List*Lost Films*People*Theatres
Taylorology*Articles*Home Video*Books*Search
 
Pandora's Box BD
 
Silent Era Home Page  >  Theatres  >  United States  >  Illinois  >  Rockford  >  Coronado
 
Theaters
Motion picture theatres from the silent era.
Copyright © 1999-2024 by Carl Bennett and the Silent Era Company.
All Rights Reserved.
 
 
Coronado Theatre
Photograph: Silent Era image collection.
Address 314 Main Street
Opening Night Seating Capacity unknown
Original Theatre Owner Willard N. Van Matre Jr.
Original Theatre Architect Frederick J. Klein
Years of Operation 1927-1984
Type of Musical Accompaniment Theatre pipe organ
Current Status Preserved; operating as a live theater venue

The Coronado Theatre opened on 9 October 1927, after $1.5 million was spent on its construction. The theatre’s name and its slogan, “Rockford’s Wonder Theatre,” was chosen after a contest sponsored by the Rockford Register-Gazette. The Coronado Theatre was a first-run house.

The theatre was wired for sound and presented its first sound film, Mammy (1928) — Al Jolson’s second sound feature — in 1928.

The theatre was purchased by Kerasotes Theatres in 1970, and stopped presenting motion pictures in 1984. The Coronado was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and was listed on the State of Illinois Register of Historic Sites in 1980.

On 21 November 1997, Kerasotes Theatres donated the Coronado to the Rockford community and the theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Preservation. The theatre was preserved and renovated in 2000 in preparation for the presentation of touring theatre shows.

 

Website: Coronado Theatre

Report Coronado Theatre Errors or Omissions

 
Silent Era Home Page  >  Theatres  >  United States  > Illinois  >  Rockford  >  Coronado
 
Pioneers of Africian American Cinema
Become a Patron of Silent Era

LINKS IN THIS COLUMN
WILL TAKE YOU TO
EXTERNAL WEBSITES

SUPPORT SILENT ERA
USING THESE LINKS
WHEN SHOPPING AT
AMAZON

AmazonUS
AmazonCA
AmazonUK

Cat and the Canary Standard BD

Capra at Columbia UHD/BD

Little Rascals Vol 1 BD

Charley Chase 1927 BD

L&H Year 2 BD

Seven Chances/Sherlock Jr BD

Caligari UHD

Pandora's Box BD

The Bat BD

Billy Bevan BD