Fischer Theatre facts for kids
Front of the theatre
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| Address | 158-164 North Vermilion Street Danville, Illinois United States |
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| Coordinates | 40°07′40″N 87°37′49″W / 40.12774°N 87.63030°W |
| Owner | Vermilion Heritage Foundation |
| Opened | April 1884 |
| Closed | January 5, 1982 |
| Website | |
| https://www.fischertheatre.com | |
The Fischer Theatre is a historic building in Danville, Illinois. It first opened its doors in 1884 as the Grand Opera House. Over the years, this special place has hosted many shows and even movies. It has a rich history of entertainment and community efforts to save it.
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A Look Back at the Fischer Theatre's History
The Fischer Theatre was built in 1884. It was first known as the Grand Opera House. The grand opening happened on November 5, 1884. The land for the theatre cost $6,000. The building itself, including all its furniture, cost $28,000.
From Opera House to Movie Palace
In 1912, the theatre got a big makeover. When it reopened on March 13, 1913, it was called the Fischer Theater. This new name honored a person on its governing board. In 1929, the theatre added new equipment. This allowed it to show movies. The outside of the building also changed. New apartments and shops were added to the front. A large pipe organ played music for the silent movies.
In 1971, the theatre was sold. It became part of the Kerasotes Theatres chain. The theatre could originally seat about 900 people. This included the main floor, mezzanine, balcony, and special boxes. When Kerasotes took over, new seats were put in. The main floor could then seat 600 people.
Saving a Historic Landmark
The Fischer Theatre closed its doors in 1982. Kerasotes Theatres removed and sold many parts of the building. The building was then given to the city of Danville. In 1997, the building was thought to be unsafe. It was planned to be torn down.
Community Efforts to Preserve the Theatre
To save the building, a group stepped in. The Danville's Old Town Preservation Association helped. They convinced the city to give them the building. In 1998, this association sold the building. It was sold to the Vermilion Heritage Foundation. On June 20, 2006, the theatre closed for events. This was because of rising costs. The foundation wanted to focus on raising money for a full restoration.
A New Chapter for the Fischer Theatre
In August 2018, a local helper stepped in. Julius W. Hegeler II donated millions of dollars. This money was for the theatre's renovation. The project started with a new roof. The brick outside was also repaired. Then, the work expanded to include the inside of the building.
The Fischer Theatre is a very important place. It is listed on the List of Registered Historic Places in Illinois. This means it is recognized for its historical value.
