Fischer Theatre

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The Fischer Theatre was built in 1884 in Danville, IL, and was known as the Grand Opera House at that time. The grand opening was held on November 5, 1884. In 1912, the theatre was remodeled and upon its reopening on March 13, 1913, it was known as the Fischer Theater, after a member of its governing board. In 1929, the theater added equipment to project movies. In 1971, the theater was sold to the Kerasotes Theatres chain of movie theaters. In 1982, the Fischer Theatre was closed. Kerasotes Theatres removed and sold the building's fixtures, and the building was turned over to the city of Danville. In 1997, the building was deemed unsafe and slated for demolition, but in an attempt to save the building, Danville's Old Town Preservation Association convinced the city to turn the building over to the association. In 1998, the Old Town Preservation Association sold the building to the Vermilion Heritage Foundation. On June 20, 2006, the leadership of the Vermilion Heritage Foundation closed the theater to future events due to an increasing utilities and maintenance costs, and a desire to re-focus on fundraising for the complete restoration. [1].