Did you know that a once-prominent theatre in early 1900s Champaign was owned by the Ku Klux Klan? Historian, Perry C. Morris, recently presented, “Illinois Theatre: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” at Parkland College on Mattis. This event was hosted in collaboration with Champaign County History Museum. At this event, Morris went into detail about the Illinois Theatre’s origins, company, construction, opening night, vaudeville, and destruction.
Morris shared with the audience the research he has done on the history of the Illinois Theatre. As early as 1894, there had been discussion about building an opera house in Champaign. Eventually, a plan for building an opera house finally arises. The Illinois Theater Company —stockholders in the theatre— met to discuss their plans on June 17, 1907.
Morris said, “Members of the building company were M.W. Busey, C.N. Clark, John W. Stipes, and T.B. Thornburn.” There had been several delays in construction, because of steel delays. This ultimately pushed back the opening date to March 3, 1908.
Opening night went smoothly for the Illinois Theatre, according to Morris who quoted the Champaign Daily Gazette:
“‘The handsome Illinois theater in Urbana was launched on its career as a play house Tuesday night with Miss Marie Cahill and her excellent company in ‘Marrying Mary.’ The event was a leading society event in the history of the sister the immense audience being composed largely of elegantly gowned women and well-groomed men, the majority of the latter appearing in full evening dress.’ The ladies in attendance were given red and white carnations. The Gazette also said: ‘The opening was without incident and to one not knowing, everything went as smoothly as if the house had been open for months.’”
The Illinois Theatre had several ownership and management changes throughout its history. “George W. Chatterton Jr., of Danville, was (the first) manager of Illinois for his family,” said Morris. Years later, the Illinois Theatre came to be owned by The Zenith Amusement Company. Morris referred to an article by the News-Gazette: “‘This company has purchased the Illinois Theatre building in Urbana for $35,000 to be used for general and amusement purposes. Zenith Klan No. 56, Realm of Illinois, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, have leased the building for their headquarters.’”
The Illinois Theatre was of interest to the Ku Klux Klan because it was large enough to hold meetings and events. Eventually, a Klan wedding held at the Illinois Theatre was open to the public, right here in Champaign, on Saturday, Nov. 24, 1923.
According to champaigncountyhistory.org, “The Illinois Theatre was located at 312 West Railroad Street (later incorporated into Springfield Avenue), Urbana, Illinois. The Illinois Theatre opened on March 3, 1908, and closed on April 3, 1927, when the building burned.”
There are many theories as to why the building burned down but Morris says he believes it was a wiring problem. The theatre was not rebuilt as an opera house. Today, in place of the Illinois Theatre, stands apartment buildings.
For more information about the history of the Illinois Theatre, visit this LINK.
Morris has spoken at several of the Champaign County History Museum exhibits. When asked what ways events like his public presentation help benefit the community, Morris said:
“Well, I think that it is nice to know something about your history. How the community came to be what it is, what used to be here, and how it led up to now. The stories are interesting.”
These events are hosted monthly, by the Champaign County History Museum. You can access their event calendar by clicking HERE. For more information about Morris, you can visit CUTheaterHistory.com
