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Preserving
Rockford's Legacy
Big
names like Bob Hope …Sammy Davis, Jr.… Liberace …Bill
Cosby …are only a handful of the stars that have appeared at the
Coronado Theatre in Rockford, Illinois. There are many, many more. The
community takes great pride in the Coronado Theatre, a national and
local treasure. The extravagant theatre, located at 314 N. Main Street,
was built in the 1920s and was owned by Willard N. Van Matre, Jr. of
Rockford. Architect Frederick J. Klein designed this unique facility
that was extremely popular for movie palaces of its time. The cost of
the theatre was $1.5 million dollars, an enormous amount at that time.
Opening Day October 9, 1927. The theatre was complete, and still
is, with castles, moving clouds and starlit skies and beautiful Italian
and Moorish detail throughout. Imagine stepping back into the 1930s.
The glowing villages remind you of a beautiful twilight in Venice. The
European crystal chandelier, over a ton of sparkle, in the middle of
the reception hall is the center of attention. The famous orchestra
pit, where the Grande Barton Pipe Organ sits, has shined and led musical
performances since its inception. The organ pipes run through the ground
and into the basement. Authentic marble stairways and the simulated
night sky complete this historic site. It definitely creates a magical
atmosphere.
Besides big celebrities like Louis Armstrong and Milton Berle appearing
at the Coronado Theatre, it was also the venue for many entertainment
breakthroughs in the late 1920s. The first talking picture (featuring
Al Jolson) and the first all-talking film (“Lights of the City”)
were shown at the Coronado. Bob Hope was one of the initial performers
at the Coronado, appearing the very first year that the theatre opened.
Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan were visitors who also
contributed to the Coronado’s history. It was a place to see stars
and also take home priceless memories.
In 1970 the Kerasotes family purchased the theatre from the Van Matres.
On November 21, 1997, the Kerasotes family donated the Coronado Theatre
to the Rockford community. Since then, the Rockford Area Arts Council
requested a study on expanding the capabilities of the Coronado to serve
future arts and community entertainment needs. Well, they’ve done
an excellent job.
The city of Rockford donated $7 million, matching the privately-raised
funds from foundations, corporations, and individuals to total $18.5
million dollars to renovate, adapt, and maintain the Coronado. The organization,
Friends of the Coronado, also helped to preserve and re-open the theatre.
It took 18 months of reconstruction to preserve and expand the original
architect’s work and detail to keep the 1920s look. The Grand Re-opening
“Lights On” Concert held on January 21, 2001 drew a huge black-tie
gathering. The opening week tours attracted more than 45,000 people.
The extra demand of people turned the event into a three-day affair.
The theatre now serves as the permanent home for the Rockford Symphony
Orchestra, Rockford Dance Company and Community Concert Association.
JoAnn Yostrab, a native of Rockford, remembers the Coronado as “a
real popular place … the hot place to be.” She adds that the
theatre today looks just as unique as it did when she saw Sammy Davis
Jr. there when she was in high school. During the renovation, the architecture
was kept in tact while a touch of modernism was added to the structure.
This historic landmark was noted to be “one of the best preserved
movie palaces in the country … the finest of its type … the
Coronado is a particularly fine example of the ‘atmospheric’
style of movie theatres pioneered by John Eberson, inspiring the audience
to believe what they are experiencing.”
“Rockford’s Wonder Theatre” is the venue for major events
on weekends and is available for meetings and receptions on weekdays.
So put on your nice clothes, grab your fedora, take a loved one, and
come see a fantasy world recreated at the Coronado. The Coronado Theatre
is the crown jewel of Rockford. It seems to touch the community in a
special way. It has brought the community together for over 70 years
and still continues to bring Rockford’s future together.
For more information:
314 N. Main Street
Tel: (815) 968.5600 Fax: (815) 968.5451
Box Office: (815) 968.5222
Friends of the Coronado: (815) 966.2100.
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