Friends of the Coronado
Friends of the Coronado
Friends of the Coronado is a grassroots volunteer 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1997 to spearhead and manage a capital campaign that resulted in the 18.5 million renovation, restoration and 2001 reopening of the historic Coronado Theatre in Rockford.
  • About
  • Support / Donate
  • Partner with the Coronado Theatre
  • 90 Years of the Coronado – History Video
  • Virtual Tour
  • Education & Outreach
  • Board of Directors
  • Coronado Resident Companies
  • Events & Performances
  • Contact Us
Menu back  
FacebookInstagram

Opening Day, October 9th, 1927

September 9, 2013Leave a commentHistoryBy bhoward
Opening Day

Opening day of the Coronado Theatre. It was owned by Willard N. Van Matre, Jr. of Rockford and designed by architect Frederick J. Klein in the “atmospheric” style that was popular for movie palaces in the 1920s. The cost was $1.5 million.

The exquisite plaster work was created especially for the Coronado. Even the “backs” of the Spanish and Moorish “villages” are complete. Both of the stunning chandeliers were specially designed for the Coronado. The magical ceiling features “stars” and moving “clouds”.

The name “Coronado” and the slogan “Rockford’s Wonder Theatre” were chosen through a contest sponsored by the Rockford Register-Gazette.

About the author

bhoward

Related posts
First Talking Picture
September 9, 2013
1927
September 9, 2013
Leave Comment

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

clear formSubmit

SUPPORT THE CORONADO
PRESERVATION &
EDUCATION PROJECTS
JOIN/DONATE
ENTER YOUR EMAIL
TO STAY UP-TO-DATE
ON CORONADO NEWS
SIGN UP NOW!
PHOTO GALLERY
VIEW GALLERY

© 2019 Friends of the Coronado