The History of the Canna
Gillespie, IL
The Canna used to be called the “Lyric” theatre and was that way until sometime in the late 50’s or early 60’s. At that time, an organization bought the theatre and changed the name to the “Canna,” and served as a popular movie destination for
the people of Gillespie and surrounding communities.
Over the years the theatre had a 
couple of different owners, but was forced to close its doors in 1997. It remained that way for 10 years, with the exception of a couple of times a year to serve as a community center for plays and concerts.
During this time, a local theatre group had changed the name back to the “Lyric,” and were making efforts to return the theater to its original glory.
Unfortunately, nothing really took off with the “Lyric” although the efforts of the local theatre group played a big part in maintaining the building. Some newer seats were installed over the years, the concession area maintained, and the place had been kept fairly clean. If not for their efforts, a building completely empty and neglected for 10 years could have been a disaster.
On March 18, 2007, following hours of work remodeling, cleaning, and updating equipment, the Eisentraut family reopened the theatre as the “Canna,” pointing to the days of its history as a motion picture establishment. With their current pricing structure, families can enjoy a clean, comfortable atmosphere at a budget-conscious price without giving up anything.
