National Register of Historic Places

Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block

Charleston, Coles County, Illinois
Listed
January 12, 1984
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
84001066

About this property

The Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block is a historic theatre and commercial building located at 705-715 Monroe Avenue in Charleston, Illinois. The theatre, named for entertainer Will Rogers, was built in 1935 and opened in 1938. The Art Deco building was the first Art Deco structure in Charleston and is the only existing Art Deco commercial building in Coles County and the six counties it borders. The front facade of the building is decorated with colored terra cotta tiles which form yellow, red, and black stripes. The theatre has a tall tower over its entrance which supports the top of its neon marquee. The interior decorations, which also have an Art Deco influence, include recessed lighting and flowered and geometric patterns painted on the ceiling by hand. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 12, 1984.

Location

705-715 Monroe Ave.
Charleston, Coles County, Illinois
39.49292, -88.24412

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Briggs, Alexander, House
Industrial
3.1 mi
Pemberton Hall and Gymnasium
Industrial
3.4 mi
Health Education Building
Industrial
3.7 mi
Coles County Courthouse
Industrial
3.7 mi
Old Main
Industrial
3.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block listed on the National Register?

Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 12, 1984.

What type of historic resource is Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block?

Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block?

The period of significance for Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block?

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