Clarence E. Irvin Collection



Processed by
Brigid R. McBride


Table of Contents
Irvin Theatre customers around 1929. Photograph donated by E.K. Rehker.
  

 
Collection Information
Volume of Collection:
One Box
Collection Dates:
1915-1982
Restrictions:
None
Reproduction Rights:
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the McLean County Museum of History.
Alternative Formats:
None
Other Finding Aids: Record in National Union Catalog Manuscripts Collection On-Line
Location: Archives
Notes:

See also Irvin Theatre vertical file; Photographic Collection Subjects Architecture: E. Washington St., E. Jefferson St., N. Main St.

The Irvin Theatre sat next door to the Livingston Flats in 1927. Photograph taken by Carl Gandee.

 

 

Historical Sketch
  Clarence Edgar Irvin owned and operated several Bloomington theaters. He was the founder of Irvin Amusement Inc. In 1914 he built the Irvin Theatre on W. Jefferson St. in Bloomington which operated until 1982. He sold the theater but remained the owner of the theater building. The Irvin Theatre was the best theater in town with the newest and most up-to-date technology available. Irvin Amusement Inc. was also associated with the Castle, Illini, Majestic, Rialto, and Chatterton theaters, all in Bloomington. Irvin was also associated with the regional chains Midwest Theatre Inc. and Publix Great States Theatre Inc.

 

Scope and Contents Note

  This Collection contains papers dealing with the holdings of Clarence Irvin and his family. The papers include deeds, leases, correspondence, newspaper clippings, legal documents, and building plans.

 

Box and Folder Inventory

Folder 1:
 Correspondence
1.1
 Letter from W.D. Burford to C.E. Irvin of the Castle Theatre, July 18, 1923
1.2
 Letter from C.E. Irvin to Whom it May Concern, June 29, 1926
1.3
 Letter from W.R. Bach to Mr. Irvin, March 9, 1936
1.4
 Letter from Charles E. Hall to Beulah E. Irvin, February 5, 1954 (original and copy)
1.5
 Letter from Maurice F. Glass to E.K. Rehker, November 15, 1974
1.6
 Letter from Mrs. G.W. Martin to Beulah Irvin, no date

 

Folder 2:
Publix Great States Theatres, Inc.
2.1
 Letter from Great States Theatres Inc. to Sigmund Livingston, August 14, 1926
2.2
 Letter from Great States Theatres, Inc. (MGL) to C.E. Irvin, May 16, 1929
2.3
 Letter from Paramount Publix Corporation to C.E. Irvin (Curley), November 24, 1930
2.4
 Letter from Eimer C. Upton to C.E. Irvin, September 19, 1938
2.5
 Letter from Publix Great States Theatres, Inc. to Gentlemen, October 27, 1941
2.6
 Letter from C.B. Rubens (Publix Great States Theatres, Inc.) to C.E. Irvin, September 14, 1943, regarding sale of pipe organs
2.7
 Letter from Chalmer A. Dan (Publix Great States Theatres, Inc.) to Beulah E. Irvin, October 26, 1955, includes 2 pages of tax ordinances, 8 pages of newspaper clippings
2.8
 Letter from Maurice F. Glass (Publix Great States Theatres, Inc.) to Beulah E. Irvin, September 15, 1960
2.9
 Letter from Beulah E. Irvin to Joseph W. DePew, September 16, 1960
2.10
 Letter from Beulah E. Irvin to Maurice F. Glass, September 17, 1960
2.11
 Special Assessment Notice for the Publix Great States Theater, Inc. for "S 115' of E 1/2 of Lot 120, James Allin's Second Addition"
2.12
 Special Assessment Notice for the Publix Great States Theater, Inc. for "W 10' of Lot 35 White's Addition"

 

Folder 3:
State of Illinois v. Irvin Amusement, Inc.
3.1
 Circuit Court of Sangamon County Summons for Irvin Amusement Company, July 10, 1941
3.2
 Postcard from Circuit Clerk to Costigan, Wollrab, and Yoder attorneys in Bloomington, July 31, 1941
3.3
 Notice from Attorney General George Barrett to Irvin Amusement Company, March 1, 1941 concerning delinquent franchise taxes, fees and filing annual reports
3.4
 Letter from Edward Hughes (Secretary of State) to Irvin Amusement Company, March 19, 1940
3.5
 Letter from Costigan, Wollrab, and Yoder to Circuit Clerk, July 30, 1941
3.6
 Letter from Attorney General George Barrett to Costigan, Wollrab, and Yoder, August 5, 1941, concerning court case
3.7
 Blank Annual Report (2 copies)
3.8
 Letter from Costigan, Wollrab, and Yoder to C.E. Irvin, November 4, 1941, concerning tax payments
3.9
 Letter from Costigan, Wollrab, and Yoder to Publix Great States Theatres, Inc., November 6, 1941, concerning titles, warranty deeds
3.10
 Letter from Beulah Irvin to Clerk of the Circuit Court, November 25, 1941
3.11
 Letter from Circuit Clerk to Beulah E. Irvin, November 27, 1941, concerning court case
3.12
 Letter from Costigan, Wollrab, and Yoder to P.C. Otwell (Asst. Attorney General), December 2, 1941, concerning dissolution being entered
3.13
 Letter from P.C. Otwell (Asst. Attorney General) to Beulah Irvin and attorneys, December 3, 1941, concerning dissolution entry
3.14
 Letter from Beulah Irvin to P.C. Otwell, December 5, 1941
3.15
 Letter from P.C. Otwell to Beulah Irvin, December 24, 1941
3.16
 Letter from Beulah Irvin and attorneys to P.C. Otwell, December 26, 1941
3.17
 Letter from Beulah Irvin and attorneys to Clyde Kensinger, December 26, 1941
3.18
 Letter from Beulah Irvin and attorneys to Morris G. Leonard (Publix Great States Theatres, Inc.), December 26, 1941, includes return receipts

 

Folder 4:
 Leases
4.1
 Lease, Irvin Amusement Company (as lessor) and Bloomington Theatres, Inc. (as lessee), November 26, 1925
4.2
 Lease, Irvin Amusement Company (as lessor) and Bloomington Theatres, Inc. (as lessee), November 26, 1925, with green ink corrections
4.3
 Irvin Theatre Lessor's Consent to Assignment of Lease by Great States Theatres, Inc., November 21, 1974

 

Folder 5:
Waiver of Notices
5.1
 Waiver of Notice concerning the Chatterton Theatre, renamed the Illini Theatre, December 1, 1941, signed by C.E. Irvin, Ina Irvin Rehker, and Beulah E. Irvin (3 copies)

 

Folder 6:
Agreements
6.1
 Agreement between E.E. Parker and Clerc Tilbury (Bloomington Construction Company) for construction work on Theatre Building at 204 East Jefferson St., April 5, 1915
6.2
 Agreement between Lois Johnson and C.E. Irvin concerning construction of foundation walls on the property of Lois Johnson by C.E. Irvin, April 7, 1915 (2 copies)
6.3
 Agreement between C.E. Irvin and the Illinois Savings and Trust concerning property purchases, April 20, 1915
6.4
 Agreement between Clarence E. Irvin and the party of Dee Robinson and George Michell concerning the leasing of the Irvin Theater to Robinson and Michell, November 17, 1920
6.5
 Lease Extension Agreement between Clarence Irvin and Publix Great States Theatres, Inc. concerning the lease between Robinson and Michell being vested in Publix Great States Theatres, Inc., June 7, 1944
6.6
 Agreement between Bloomington Theatres, Inc and Clarence E. Irvin concerning the employment of Clarence Irvin as resident manager of the Castle, Illini, Majestic, and Irvin Theatres, November 26, 1925
6.7
 Agreement between Clarence E. Irvin and Bloomington Theatres, Inc. concerning a lease from Irvin Amusement Company to the Bloomington Theatres, Inc for 8 years, November 26, 1925
6.8
 Memorandum of Agreement between Clarence E. Irvin and Jules J. Rubens, concerning the sale of 50 shares of stock of Bloomington Theatres, Inc., May 14, 1929
6.9
 Agreement between Clarence E. Irvin and Bloomington Theatres, Inc. allowing Robinson and Michell the option of extending lease for 10 years until 1938, August 1, 1929
6.10
 Agreement between Bloomington Theatres, Inc. and Publix Great States Theatres, Inc., concerning the sale of lease to Publix Great States Theatres, December 28, 1929
6.11
 Agreement between Charles E. Hall and Thomas P. Rose (apartment owners) and Clarence E. Irvin concerning overhanging eaves from the apartment building onto the adjoining lands of the theater building, September 4, 1937
6.12
 Agreement between Clarence E. Irvin and Publix Great States Theatres, Inc. concerning a lease for 10 years of the theater at 204 E. Jefferson St., June 1938 (2 copies)
6.13
 Memorandum of Agreement between Irvin Amusement Company (C.E. Irvin) and Publix Great States Theatres Inc., concerning the Illini Theatre, December 16, 1941

 

Folder 7:
Insurance Papers
7.1
 Correspondence from B and K Management Corporation with certificate of insurance, March 2, 1959
7.2
 Correspondence from B and K Management Corporation with certificate of insurance, March 12, 1962
7.3
 Change Endorsement, change in names on the policy, October 1960 (2 change endorsements for two policies)
7.4
 Two receipts from the Capen Insurance Agency, fifth installment, October 1960
7.5
 Insurance Policy from Westchester Fire Insurance Company through Capen Insurance Agency, November 1961
7.6
 Two receipts from the Capen Insurance Agency, first installment, 1961
7.7
 Insurance policies and receipts, reduced rates, 1961 (4 policies and receipts)
7.8
 Insurance Policy from Great American Insurance Company, November 1961

 

Folder 8:
Taxes
8.1
 County Collector's Office form, to C.E. Irvin, March 29, 1922
8.2
 Special Assessment, property tax for Street Lighting in Central Business District, 1961 (White's Addition)
8.3
 Special Assessment, property tax for Street Lighting in Central Business District, 1961 (Allen's Addition)

 

Folder 9:
Deeds
9.1
 Offer to Purchase Real Estate, by Publix Great States Theatres, incorporated by C.E. Irvin, from the City of Bloomington, July 23, 1941 (2 copies)
9.2
 Sworn testimony concerning Algernon C. Sweetser, June 15, 1926
9.3
 Warranty Deed, C.E. Irvin and Lois and Wallace Johnson, April 15, 1919
9.4
 Contract for Real Estate Sale, Tyler T. Greenlee and C.E. Irvin, April 1, 1915
9.5
 Warranty Deed, Tyler and Dora Greenlee and C.E. Irvin, March 22, 1915 (2 copies)

 

Folder 10:
 Abstract of Title
10.1
 Abstract of Title to the East one-half of Lot 120 of James Allin's Second Addition to the Town of Bloomington, Illinois, March 20, 1915

 

Folder 11:
Illini Theater
11.1
 Waiver of Notice, waive all notice of convening a meeting of stockholders and directors of Irvin Amusement Company, December 15, 1941

 

Folder 12:
Irvin Theater Plans
12.1
 Plat for C.E. Irvin of Lot 120 Allin's Second Addition, October 9, 1939 (East Jefferson Street and East Street)
12.2
 Photocopy of Plat for C.E. Irvin of Lot 120 Allin's Second Addition, October 9, 1939
12.3
 Handwritten notes and drawings, 8 pages, mathematical notations
12.4
 List of property owners, C.U. "Williams to Lyons"
12.5
 List of fixtures owned by Irvin Amusement Co.

 

Folder 13:
 Newspaper Clippings
13.1
 "Esquire Theater Closes, Future Plans Indefinite," no source
13.2
 "Esquire Closed Until Further Notice," advertisement, no source
13.3
 "Irvin Funeral," no source
13.4
 "Illini Theater Reopens Friday," no source
13.5
 "Clarence Irvin, Former Theater Executive, Dies," no source (2 copies)
13.6
 "City's Oldest Brick House is Razed," Pantagraph, no date
13.7
 "Progress takes its toll on the Irvin," by Dan Craft, Pantagraph, Jan. 9, 1982 p. 22
13.8
 Advertisements for shows at the Irvin Theatre, Pantagraph, January, 1956
13.9
 Advertisements for shows at the Irvin Theatre, Pantagraph, January, 1956
13.10
 Advertisements for shows at the Irvin Theatre, Pantagraph, January, 1956
13.11
 "Irvin Theater to close," Pantagraph, December 31, 1981
13.12
 "50 Years Ago," Pantagraph, March 18, 1965
13.13
 "50 Years Ago," Pantagraph, August 27, 1965
13.14
 "Theater sale," no source, May 5, 1974
13.15
 "New $50,000 Photo Play Theater Assured," Pantagraph, March 18, 1915
13.16
 "Irvin Leaves Home, Farm Land to Wife," Pantagraph, October 3, 1953
13.17
 Advertisement for Irvin Theatre showing of To Catch a Thief
13.18
 "Now Playing: Plitt Theaters starring Henry Plitt with a cast of thousands.... of seats," by Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune, Arts and Fun Section, sec. 6, p. 3, June 2, 1974

 

Folder 14:
 Castle Theater
14.1
 Agreement to lease the Castle Theater from William R. Lyons, who had leased the Castle Theater from the C.U. Williams and Son Company, May 12, 1923 (2 copies)
14.2
 Waiver of Notice waiving meeting of stockholders and directors, December 15, 1941 (4 copies)

 

Folder 15:
 B and K Management
15.1
 Correspondence to Curley (C.E. Irvin) from Morris Leonard regarding exercise of option, May 7, 1938
15.2
 Correspondence to Curley (C.E. Irvin) from Morris Leonard regarding length of time in default for lessees, September 15, 1938
15.3
 Correspondence to Curley (C.E. Irvin) from Morris Leonard regarding changes to the contracts, "strict foreclosure," August 23, 1938
15.4
 Correspondence to Curley (C.E. Irvin) from Morris Leonard regarding the Illini Theatre, December 15, 1941
15.5
 Correspondence to Curley (C.E. Irvin) from Morris Leonard regarding purchase of the Illini Theatre July 15, 1941; the Receipt for Deposit Against purchase of Illini Theatre, no date; and enclosed letter to Mr. Compton dated March 18, 1941
15.6
 Correspondence to Mr. Compton of the City of New Iberia, Louisiana, from RFD, regarding the possibility of sale of the theater buildings, July 23, 1941

 

Folder 16:
 Miscellaneous Papers
16.1
 Midwest Theaters form letter, no date, includes list of officers, board of directors, and list of theaters in the Midwest, 1923
16.2
 Correspondence, 2 items, first regarding titles (1925), second regarding construction of Irvin Theatre (1915)
16.3
 Blank legal forms (8 items)
16.4
 Indenture, between A.E. DeMange and the second party S.N. Robinson, Dee Robinson, and George W. Michell, September 1, 1923
16.5
 Agreement between Irvin Amusement Company and Robinson and Michell, February 1, 1924
16.6
 Agreement between Irvin Amusement Company and Michell and Robinson, November 1, 1924
16.7
 Letter from Publix Great States Theatres, Inc., to Clarence E. Irvin, May 5, 1938
16.8
 Power of Attorney appointed Beulah E. Irvin by Pearl I. Ford and Ina Irvin, March 24, 1955
16.9
 Contract for $1,000.00 for Parker and Tillberry to construct public sidewalks, August 18, 1915
16.10
 Sworn oath by C.E. Irvin concerning plats of land, 1950
16.11
 Appraisal for Irvin Theatre, 1953
16.12
 Consent to Assignment by Lessor, 1925 (2 copies)
16.13
 Notes and monetary figures (2 items)
16.14
 Handwritten notes, "Statement of Receipts and Disbursements, Irvin Theatre from October 1, 1953 thru March 31, 1955," received and paid out

 

Loose Items
Envelope; with newspaper advertisements for movies showing at the Irvin, Majestic, and Castle Theatres (some items brittle and fragile)

 

McLean County Museum of History Collections and Research