Preserving History & Celebrating Culture

BUZZ MAGAZINE – Most people have fond childhood memories of varying places and experiences. Sadly, too many have seen the places that held those memories succumb to disrepair and ultimately demolition. Such was about to happen to the Lincoln Square Theater in Decatur just a few years ago until Lavelle Hunt and friends stepped in.

Designed by the distinguished local architectural firm of Aschauer and Waggoner, the theater was built in the captivating Art Nouveau and Beaux Arts styles, giving the theater an ornate, opera-house type feel, making it a jewel in Decatur’s architectural crown. But the beauty of the building was second to safety and durability. Crafted from steel, concrete, and fireproof brick, the Lincoln Square Theater was heralded as a “fireproof theater” of its time. Its grandeur was matched by its practicality, with a large stage flanked by ornate columns topped with lighted bowls held by seahorse sculptures, a mezzanine with elegant box seating, and a spacious third balcony.

The curtains rose for the very first performance on October 31, 1916, to George M. Cohan’s “Hit-the-Trail-Holliday,” a lively stage farce that set the tone for the decades of performances to come. In its prime, the Lincoln Square Theater could accommodate nearly 1,400 guests, offering a wide range of entertainment from live theater and concerts to vaudeville, opera, and silent films. The stage became a platform for some of the greatest performers of the early 20th century, such as Harry Houdini and Bob Hope.

Lincoln Square Theater served as the entertainment hub for the area for decades, and even though a fire in March of 1960 caused significant damage, requiring simplified reconstruction, the theater’s spirit remained intact. For many years, it was operated under lease by the Kerasotes movie theater chain of Springfield, serving as a beloved movie house.

In 2016, the theater closed. As it sat unoccupied and unattended, the building began to deteriorate. The roof and ceilings caved in, allowing the elements to eat away at the interior. Abandoned and seemingly forgotten, the city of Decatur announced its intent to tear it down in 2020.

But it was not forgotten. Lavelle remembered. He and his good friend Mark Scranton had been going to the Lincoln Square Theater since their early teens and couldn’t bear to see this once beautiful, historic landmark be demolished.

“We did what we had to do to obtain ownership of the building, obtained our 501(c)3, and immediately began renovations,” Lavelle explained.

The meticulous restoration process started with the roof, and efforts moved forward after that to return the theater to its original splendor while maintaining its historic integrity. In addition to structural repairs and aesthetic restoration,s the work included the reintroduction of original design elements. Updates included the removal of the old

theater seats that were bolted to the main floor for the entirely new flooring system that was designed, engineered, and installed - including new radiant heating in the floor.

A new sound system and stage lighting were also added to enhance the entertainment experience.

“We were very fortunate that a number of local contractors provided their time and labor for little or no cost when they found out what we were doing,” Lavelle continued. “Even so, money ran out, and we had to raise funds to continue. But the show must go on!” And so it did. The first show in the new Lincoln Square Theater was on New Year’s Eve of 2021, featuring Captain Rat & The Rivets, and the theater has been going strong since. From live bands, comedians, and vaudeville acts to throwback movies, Lincoln Square Theater is once again a beacon for the arts.

And thanks to the new floor plan, which allows for seating variations (and even for the seating to be removed completely), Lincoln Square Theater is now also available as a venue for weddings, baby showers, retirement parties, corporate events, and more.

I am enamored with the Lincoln Square Theater, which reminds me of a scaled-down version of The Fabulous Fox in St. Louis. With its blend of historic charm and modern entertainment, the Lincoln Square Theater now packs the house for concerts, live performances, community events, and unforgettable experiences. With its ongoing commitment to preserving history and celebrating culture, the Lincoln Square Theater invites you to be part of its next chapter.

The Lincoln Square Theater is located at 141 N. Main Street in downtown Decatur. Upcoming shows include Sidewalk Prophets - Great Big Family Christmas (Dec 12), Christmas with Elvis featuring Scott Wattles and The Blue Suede Crew (Dec 13), Power of Love - The Premier Huey Lewis & The News Tribute Concert (Dec 15), Quiet Riot (Dec 29) and Space Oddity - The Quintessential David Bowie Tribute Experience (Jan 10). Visit lincolnsquaretheater.com for showtimes, ticket information, venue booking, and more. Follow them on Facebook/Lincoln Square Theater for updates.

This story originally printed in the December 2025 issue of The Prairie Land Buzz Magazine, http://www.thebuzzmonthly.com.

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