This Illinois Theater Has Been Running Movies for 87 Years

Movie theaters seem to be going the way of shopping malls, slowly disappearing more and more each year. With streaming services and home theaters becoming increasingly popular, many people are choosing to stay in and save money. However, there is one Illinois movie theater that has stood the test of time and remains the oldest operating theater in the state.

The Mar Theatre’s Historic Beginnings

Located in Wilmington, Illinois, the Mar Theatre has been welcoming moviegoers since its opening in 1937. It is still a first-run theater, showing current films just like the multiplexes.

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What Made the Mar Theatre State-of-the-Art

When it was originally built, the Mar Theatre was considered state-of-the-art, thanks to its steam heat and cooled air, luxuries that most places at the time couldn’t offer.

Over the years, the theater has seen a few updates, including improvements to the concession stand and the addition of a smaller 64-seat screening room. But for the most part, the original 300-seat auditorium remains intact, along with several original fixtures that give the Mar Theatre its enduring charm.

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Some movies you can wait to stream at home, but the big action and thriller films are meant to be seen on the big screen with surround sound. While theaters aren’t the only way to watch the newest releases, in my opinion, they’re still the best way. And if you want to experience the oldest movie theater in Illinois, keep The Mar Theatre in mind; you’ll get a taste of what moviegoers enjoyed back in the 1930s.