Normal in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Normal Theater

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 29, 2019

1. Normal Theater Marker

Inscription. This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 40° 30.564′ N, 88° 59.193′ W. Marker is in Normal, Illinois, in McLean County. It is on West North Street east of South Fell Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 W North St, Normal IL 61761, 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: Jesse W. Fell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln and Fell / Jesse Fell Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Capital Stone from the Third McLean County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Main Bell (approx. ¼ mile away); The Illinois State Normal University (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Main (approx. ¼ mile away); Illinois State University Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Normal.

Regarding Normal Theater. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:

The
Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online
building was designed by local architect Arthur F. Moratz, who utilized an Art Moderne theme throughout both the exterior and interior of the structure. The ivory stucco exterior facade with its horizontal bands of black vitrolite exemplify the streamlined style characteristic of Art Moderne designs. The curved frames of the ticket window are another mark of the style. The facade is highlighted by an Art Deco-influenced red curved-top vertical tower, but uses horizontal vitrolite banding typical of the Art Moderne style. Likewise, the marquee is accented with horizontal bands of orange neon lighting. The interior of the theater carried the Art Moderne theme with its blue, maroon, salmon and silver-colored wall stencils of a horizontal nature. …

Sylvan Kupfer, a local lawyer with considerable financial resources, financed the building of the theater. Kupfer's interest in the theater was a family affair, as his father had built the Scenic Theater in Bloomington and his descendants maintained an interest in the Normal Theater until it was sold to the Kerasotes chain. Mr. Kupfer, upon the completion of the building, leased it to the Great States Corporation, a subsidiary of Balaban and Katz, but was retained by the company as the theater's manager. The theater opened on November 18, 1937 with the screening of “Double or Nothing,” starring Bing Crosby and Martha Raye. …

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 29, 2019

2. Normal Theater Marker
Marker is left of the movie poster on the right.

In the early 1970s the theater was purchased by the Kerasotes chain, which subdivided it into two separate auditoriums in 1985. Alterations on the theater's appearance were made at this time with some Art Moderne features covered up or removed. The Kerasotes chain closed the theater in the Spring of 1991. The Town of Normal purchased the Normal Theater in November, 1991 for the purpose of restoring the building and reopening it as a movie theater. In 1992 restoration work, which spanned almost three years, began on the building. The theater was reopened in October 1994 and continues to show primarily classics, art, and foreign films.

Also see . . .
1. Normal Theater (PDF). National Register nomination for the theater, which was listed in 1997. (Prepared by Adebayo Adanri, Town of Normal; via National Archives) (Submitted on August 5, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. The Normal Theater. Homepage for the historic venue, with a history, photos and other information. (Submitted on August 5, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

3. Normal Theater Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 164 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.