Macey Heselton Deming
Contributing Writer
[email protected]

The Chautauqua Auditorium, a newly refurbished building in Shelbyville, Illinois, features 20 sides and is able to seat 5,000 people. This building has no inner support beams and is held up by equal pressure on its 20 sides, making the inside spacious. 

Beulah Knecht, founding member of the Shelbyville Historical Society, said the Auditorium’s repair is essential to the community.

“When we revive an old building, we do not just revive its body,” Knecht said. “We also revive its soul, the ghost of the past which has a story to tell. If we are willing to listen, it will tell a story of its makers, of the time it was built, of the life people connected with it … If there is a soul in old buildings, surely the auditorium in Forest Park is one of those buildings.” 

With such immense repairs and costs, it was decided residents should vote on the continuation of funding repairs. 

In March 2020, 60% of voters casted ballots in support of preservation at a cost of $750,000-$800,000. The project was bound to cost more than the city could provide. Talk of this project had increased since the building was closed because of structural instability in 2009.

The Auditorium is no longer concaving, thanks to a few concerned citizens. 

Mark Shanks, the owner of a pizza diner in Shelbyville, said he decided it was up to him to take interest in the Chautauqua Auditorium and to help restore it.

“As I got to be more involved in the community, I saw the plight of this building,” Shanks said.

Shanks said he took it upon himself to direct the project and to restore the collapsing building.

The Chautauqua Auditorium was built during the Chautauqua Movement, which began in New York City and quickly swept the Midwest. In response, many cities erected these arenas as a sort of summer camp and activities movement.

As soon as the building was completed, people began camping in the park in the summer to attend different activities, such as performances, religious and political speakers, sports competitions and more. 

Over time, the Auditorium attracted many famous performers, politicians and speakers. Dolly Parton, REO Speedwagon, Billy Sunday and former President William Howard Taft are just a few of the well-known names who have visited the historical site.

“This became the Chautauqua building,” Shanks said. “With its wide-open structure, there is not a bad seat in the house … The vast and open inside of the Auditorium is just one aspect of the beauty it holds.”

Shanks said this auditorium is ideal for viewers because no center pillars block the stage.

“This building is built basically like a large bicycle wheel sitting on top of a bunch of posts,” Shanks said.

Some minor work is still to be done.. One citizen, Jim Bolinger, who spent much time in the Auditorium at its height in popularity, said the upkeep could be the demise of the building. 

“Over the years, sometimes they would put together a project to work on it,” Bolinger said. “But never extensive enough.”

Shanks said community members should use the Auditorium and maximize its potential.

“We heard loud and clear from the public that if you’re going to save the building, we want to see you use the building,” Shanks said.

Many events are on the calendar for the Chautauqua Auditorium, including performances, speakers, pageants and weddings.

Recently, Shanks and his new bride celebrated their wedding reception in the Auditorium. Members of the community said they are hopeful that the popularity of the building and its use will continue into the future so the community can keep this historical landmark.

For more information on the Chautauqua Auditorium visit its webpage on the “Enjoy Illinois” website. Those interested can travel to see it in person in Shelbyville, Illinois.