Urbana in Champaign County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Busey's Hall
⎯⎯⎯
Princess Theater
1870
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023
1. Busey's Hall/Princess Theater Marker
Historic Landmark
Designated 2000
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 40° 6.754′ N, 88° 12.505′ W. Marker is in Urbana, Illinois, in Champaign County. It is on West Main Street (County Road 1600 N) east of Race Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 W Main St, Urbana IL 61801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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: Nat H. Cohen Building (a few steps from this marker); Tiernan's Block / Masonic Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln & Photography (within shouting distance of this marker); Urbana's Lincoln (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (about 600 feet away); The Eli Halberstadt House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lindley House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Unitarian Universalist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbana.
Regarding Busey's Hall / Princess Theater. Excerpt from the application for landmark designation:
Downtown Urbana turned to brick construction soon after this buildingwas erected due to a large fire in 1871 that destroyed most of the wooden structures. Busey's Hall survived because of this brick construction, and it is possibly the oldest building in downtown Urbana.
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Busey's Hall was the first and one of the most popular opera houses in the past, and followed the trend from live performance to motion pictures when it was converted to the Princess Theater.
Also see . . . Busey's Hall/Princess Theater. Application seeking historic landmark designation for the building. (City of Urbana) (Submitted on June 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023
2. Busey's Hall/Princess Theater Marker
The marker is on this building, which is next-door to the former hall/theater (to the right).
via Wikiwand (CC BY 2.0), April 7, 2005
3. Busey's Hall/Princess Theater
Brothers Samuel and Simeon Busey had their bank offices on the first floor, while the second was a large event hall that was turned into a movie theater in 1915. A 1934 renovation (with Art Deco facade) turned it into the Princess Theater, which operated until 1994.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 333 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
