York Theater turns 101 TODAY! 🥳
Happy birthday to our iconic downtown landmark that’s been entertaining Elmhurst for over a century! 🎂
The theater opened Labor Day weekend in 1924 when films were still silent, the lobby featured Spanish Revival style, and a live organ played during movies.
By 1929 they were showing “talkies,” and in 1938 it got that gorgeous Art Deco facade with stainless steel, neon lights, and flashing bulbs that we still see today.
After falling into disrepair in the 1970s, it was completely revitalized in the 1980s with modern touches.
A century of movies, memories, and community; here’s to another 101 years of the York Theater! 🥳
Transcript
Hey, Elmhurst! Iconic York Theater turns 101 today? Happy birthday!
It opened on Labor Day weekend back in 1924, back when film was silent, the lobby was a Spanish Revival style, and there was actually a live organ that played during movies. By 1929, they actually featured Talkies here at the theater. And by 1938, the entire facade was redone. Think Art Deco style, so stainless steel, neon lights, and flashing bulbs, which is what you still see today.
The theater did fall into disrepair in the 1970s, but by the 1980s, it was completely revitalized with some modern touches. So happy birthday, York Theater, and happy Labor Day to you.
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