DAYS GONE BY: THE GEM THEATER GEM TAYLORVILLE - In the year, 1883, theatrical entertainment began in Taylorville with the building of an opera house by H. M. Vandeveer. After years of providing fine entertainment for the community, it was sold to Ernest Hoover. Later it became the Gem Theater, then the Capitol Theater, and presently it is Memories on the Square. Opened in 1883 as the Vandeveer Opera House, it was later known as the Gem Theater before 1924, probably screening movies. In 1924 it was renamed Capitol Theater, with a seating capacity given as 1,400. By the early 1940's it was operated by the Frisina Amusement Co. and was considered the flagship theater in their chain. Capitol theater closed in 1979. Pictured is a Boy Scout band group' in front of Gem Theater on the south east side of the square around turn the of the century. Photo courtesy of Chuck Dilley