The Majestic Theater

Opened in 1913 as the Majestic, this was the town’s largest and most impressive theater when it opened, seating just over 350. It was designed by the firm of Hunt and Sullivan for A. B. McCollum who owned a handful of area theaters at that time. The Majestic Building contained not only the theater but storefronts as well. Some of its interior plasterwork and metalwork were based upon that seen by the architects in a downtown Chicago theater. The theater originally presented both vaudeville and concerts on its tiny stage, in addition to movies. 

 

In 1930, the theater was wired for sound films, after being closed for about a year for remodeling.  A new marquee was also put up around this time.  During this time, the theater went through many different name changes.  Air conditioning was installed 5 years later and the theater was then known as simply The Paxton Theater.  The name continued for nearly 5 decades.

 

By the end of the 1970’s, the business was declining despite blockbuster hits having successful runs there.  In 1983, a new owner attempted to lure in new patrons by remodeling the aging theater, installing new seating, and restoring the marquee, but within a year, the Paxton Theater was closed.

 

In the late ’80s, the theater was reopened by the newly formed Paxton Majestic Theatre Group for legitimate theater. For many years the Paxton Majestic hosted live performances, as well as children’s theater, dinner theater, and film screenings, but was closed in 2005. Sadly, the theater was burned to the ground in a blaze on November 13, 2007.