The Will Rogers Theatre, a historical building in the Charleston community for more than 70 years, was named to the Landmarks Illinois most endangered historical places April 6.

Since submitting the application in January, and learning that the Will Rogers Theatre was placed on the Landmarks Illinois’ “Ten Most Endangered Historic Buildings” list, the Charleston Historic Preservation Commission along with community members are hoping this would bring state-wide attention in order to revive the theater where so many memories were made over the years.

“The feeling that Charleston residents had toward this building played a major role in us putting it on the list,” said Jim Peters, the President and CEO of Landmarks.

The local community has rallied behind this theater and showed its support by creating a Facebook page called “Save the Will Rogers Theatre,” where members post current updates about the theater and even share memories.

Karen Jennings, a Charleston resident, is one of the 615 members on the Facebook page. Her father was a projectionist and she said she remembers when she was about six years old her father used to take her to the projection room located up the staircase. She said another one of her favorite memories was her father’s jacket always carried the scent of theater popcorn.

“I don’t care how many times mom would get it cleaned; it would still smell like popcorn. The best smell in the world was that popcorn,” Jennings said.

The huge portrait of Will Rogers, the popular actor for whom the theater was named after, seemed to be one of the things the community members remember most about the theater.

Jennings recalls seeing the portrait of Will Rogers. She said the picture was huge and she explained how his eyes glare back as if he was actually looking at the customers.

David Coy, an Eastern alum, mentioned the huge picture of Will Rogers as one of the things he remembered most about the theater. He said it was about a three or four feet framed portrait of him hanging in the theater just a little past the entrance.

Coy also recalled seeing the first Star Wars movie at Will Rogers in 1977. He said he remembered most vividly the scene where all the stars came up on the gigantic screen. He said back then before all the technical advancements this was very impressive and even startling.

The theater is also best known for its historical architecture.

Peters said he believes that out of all of the theaters across the state, this is one of the best theaters done in the art deco style.

Deco style is a style characterized by geometric shapes, sharply defined outlines, and sometimes bold colors.

Kit Morice, said the local tradition was reflected in the building’s original color palette. The exterior glazed brick in crimson and yellow are the Charleston High School colors, and the blue and gray ceiling in the auditorium echoed the colors of Eastern, she said.

“It’s a pretty unique building. I don’t know how far out of Charleston to find anything even similar to that style,” Coy said.

In addition to making the Landmarks Illinois list the commission also filed a nomination form on March 25 for the theater to be added to the local ordinance as a landmark. The Charleston City Council will vote on this at its public hearing on Wednesday.

With so many spotlights on the theater, the commission hopes to attract a potential buyer who will continue the legacy of the historic theater, Morice said.

The theater is already included on the National Register of Historic Places and the federal tax credit program; so local tax increment fund dollars could be used to help restore the building.

The revival of the theater could be beneficial to the community in more ways than one. If the theater is revised, its stage could also be used as a theater space for performing arts, lectures, meetings, banquets or an art gallery. This could be a space where local non-for-profit organizations could use for their activities, as well. There is also 4,600 square feet of attached storefronts that could also attract people and additional income.

“Although it is disappointing, I don’t feel like it’s a final sentence,” Coy said.

Morice said the Will Rogers was closed on Nov. 28, 2010 and has been vacant ever since. She said according to the Times-Courier, the theater was not adequately effective in the marketplace and was shut down. It is owned by AMC Theatres.

“It’s just so close to the heart of downtown. Imagine that gone, what a hole that would create in the center of Charleston, Peters said.

Landmarks Illinois received about 40 nominations for this year’s list. The board of directors made the final decisions on which landmarks would make the list. They travel across the state working with community groups and potential developers.

Since the inception of Landmarks Illinois’ “Top Most” list in 1995, more than a third of the listed properties have been saved, less than a quarter have been demolished and the rest remain threatened or are being rehabilitated, said the press release from Landmarks Illinois.

Desiree Morris can be reached at 581-2812

or [email protected].