Glen Carbon in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Imaginary Theatre in Henry's Park

Nickel Plate Trail

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 28, 2022

1. Imaginary Theatre in Henry's Park Marker

Inscription. Charles Henry purchased property behind the present-day library in a beautiful park bordering Judy Creek in the early 1900s. While running a saloon near there, he dreamed of building a theatre. A few years later, he built the "The Imaginary Theatre" behind the saloon near the north end of the park. Silent movies were shown on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Joseph Sperandio and Jules Lischka were the projectionists; Mabel Russell and Jennie Raffaelle supplied musical accompaniment to the old silent films; Evelyn Sperandio Schwartz was the ticket seller. Occasionally, a vaudeville troupe from St. Louis performed. The theatre continued with talking pictures, but was forced to close during the Great Depression. The building served as a town gathering place for the community. It was known by several names, such as: Henry's Hall, Imaginary Hall (or Theatre) until the 1960s, when it was demolished. The park area including the saloon and theatre, was known as Henry's Park.

Edwardsville Intelligencer, June 27, 1919

Glen Carbon will have one of the finest concert bands in Southern Illinois playing there for the Fourth
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of July celebration. The Edwardsville Concert Band will play for the dancing at Henry's Park.

This date will also be the occasion for a great welcoming home of the returning soldiers and sailors. A big parade will take place at 10 o'clock and prominent speakers have been obtained for the day. Fireworks and dancing in the evening at Imaginary Hall will be featured.

Erected 2021 by MCT Trails/Madison County Transit and Glen Carbon Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1919.

Location. 38° 44.987′ N, 89° 59.029′ W. Marker is in Glen Carbon, Illinois, in Madison County. It can be reached from South Main Street. Marker is located off the Nickel Plate Trail, which can be accessed from Miner Park and by Meridian Road (by bike or on foot). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 W Guy Ave, Glen Carbon IL 62034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 28, 2022

2. Imaginary Theatre in Henry's Park Marker

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Glen Carbon (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Railroads (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Railroads (about 400 feet away); Churches (about 400 feet away); Glen Carbon Won the Inter-City Championship in 1934 (about 400 feet away); Homesteads (about 400 feet away); Village Government 1912 (about 400 feet away); Schools (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Carbon.

Also see . . . MCT Trails (official website). Information on several trails that are all over Madison County, Illinois. Many of them were former railroads, as part of the "Rails to Trails" program. (Submitted on April 29, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 28, 2022

3. Imaginary Theatre in Henry's Park Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.