86 Years Of Leisure A History Of

The Arcada Theatre St. Charles

Historical past Museum
As we speak, September 6, 2013 marks the 87th Anniversary of the opening of the
Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Arcada is the Spanish word for Arcade, an applicable
identify for a theatre ornately designed in the Spanish colonial model. The Arcada
went by Arcadia St. Charles numerous adjustments and challenges as leisure
modified throughout the twentieth century. The age of television also impacted the
popularity of live shows - a lot in order that the theatre almost fully shut down
within the 2000s.
Commission member Chuck Amenta thanked Onesti for all of the work he has
executed on the Arcada, which is at one zero five E. Foremost St., St. Charles.
Monday's procession will continue over the Fox River Bridge, turn right at Second
Avenue, loop across the Arcada building and finish on Riverside Avenue, which can
be closed to site visitors. St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina will current a St. Charles
Metropolis Council proclamation honoring the importance of the Arcada in
downtown St. Charles, and Ron Onesti, president and CEO of the Arcada Theatre,
will give a short presentation on the historical past of the constructing.
The theatre was rejuvenated with technological upgrades, restoration, and
nationally and internationally known entertainers. Plans submitted to the city
indicate an institution of the same identify opened in 1926 - the yr the theater was
constructed - and served as a pre-present holding room along with providing
patrons with gentle drinks. St. Charles philanthropists Lester and Dellora Norris built
the vaudeville house as an entertainment venue for the realm.
It is September 6th, 1926, and tons of of individuals from Northern Illinois flock to
the Arcada Theatre in St Charles for its long awaited debut. These philanthropists
had been Lester and Dellora Norris, St. Charles natives who initiated a number of
native building initiatives. After investing $500,000 and three years of building, the
Arcada Theatre opened to a offered out crowd on September sixth, 1926. Mickey
Rooney, Jerry Lewis, and Eddie Cash are amongst famed performers who've graced
the Arcada stage.