Will Rogers Theatre and Commercial Block
Why it's listed
Built in 1935 at 705-715 Monroe Avenue, this one-story building in downtown Charleston combines a theatre with six store buildings. Its Monroe Avenue front is faced in yellow, red and black terra cotta, with low-relief geometric and floral ornament and storefronts of differing heights that create a toothed skyline. The theatre entrance sits at the west end beneath a neon marquee. Inside, circular motifs, a terrazzo lobby floor and an oval recessed ceiling give a streamlined look. The theatre opened in February 1938 and originally seated 1,043 people; a 1950s remodel reduced this to 783. It was built by a partnership of three theatre operators and constructed by Roy M. Kennedy of Taylorville. The nomination presents it as the only Art Deco building in Charleston and the only known Art Deco commercial block in Coles County and six neighboring counties. It also notes the colors reflect local school traditions. Most of the structure was vacant when the form was prepared.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant as an exceptional example of Art Deco architecture. It is the only Art Deco building in Charleston and the only known Art Deco commercial block in Coles County and the six adjoining counties. It also keeps a largely intact interior and contrasts an ornamented exterior with a curvilinear interior.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84001066, listed January 12, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 705-715 Monroe Ave., Charleston |
|---|---|
| County | Coles County |
| Listed | January 12, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001066 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Roy Kennedy, Taylorville, IL (Roy M. Kennedy of Taylorville constructed it) |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Most of the building is vacant at the time of writing; it was most recently occupied by the theatre, a barbershop, a shoe repair shop and a law office. Condition is marked good and altered. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 39.49292, -88.24412 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84001066.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16903478
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.