Merry Widow Theatre
67 East University Avenue
This is part of the current (2020) location of the Champaign Police Department.
Opened 6 June 1908
Closed August 1908
The Miebach Brothers, proprietors of Wm. Miebach & Co. hardware store, opened The Merry Widow Theatre in their building on East University Avenue on Friday, 6 June 1908. [1]
A small announcement in the Champaign Daily Gazette of Monday, 8 June 1908 announced:
“The Merry Widow Theatre – The cool amusement place, just opened with new songs and illustrated pictures. Under Miebach’s Hall, open evenings at 7:15. Admission 10c.” [2]
The City and Vicinity column in the Tuesday 11 August 1908 Champaign Daily Gazette noted that “The Merry Widow Picture show on East University avenue, has closed for a month.” [3]
It appears that it never reopened. The city directory lists The Merry Widow in only the 1908 edition. [4]
Merry Widow ad.
Champaign Daily Gazette Tuesday 9 June 1908.
Endnotes
1. Champaign Daily Gazette. Monday 8 June 1908, page 5. City and Vicinity.
2. Champaign Daily Gazette. Monday 8 June 1908, page 5. The Merry Widow Theatre.
3. Champaign Daily Gazette. Tuesday 11 August 1908, page 5. City and Vicinity.
4. Champaign and Urbana Illinois 1908 City Directory. Charles M, Samson: Bloomington. Page 37.