1975 Cherryvale Theater time capsule unearthed after 50 years

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Those who remember the Cherryvale 1-2-3 theaters may remember standing on a plaque outside the ticket booth, one atop a buried time capsule.

The time capsule was buried in 1975, with instructions for it not to be opened for 50 years, until July 4th, 2025.

Grote Automotive now occupies the building, and this week opened the time capsule, with the assistance of Laura Furman, from Midway Village Museum, who was on hand to examine the items held within.

The contents included a Sears catalog from 1975 (the CherryVale Mall opened in 1973 and was anchored by a Sears department store); a front page of the Chicago Tribune, and a list of people who attended the sealing ceremony.

Also found was a cassette tape featuring radio recordings from the time, “With songs like, ‘Jive Talkin’ and ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’ with top news stories from WROK
in August of 1975,” according to Furman.

Unfortunately, much of the contents of the time capsule suffered water damage. Furman said the Midway Village Museum will see if any can be salvaged and added to its archives.