Historic World Theatre sign reborn in Downtown Kearney

KEARNEY, Neb. - A historic landmark is bringing light back to downtown Kearney thanks to a newly-installed replica.

Crews on Wednesday installed a new vertical sign on the side of Kearney's historic World Theatre, and is a replica of the original that once hung on the building nearly a century ago.

The project was made possible through years of planning and fundraising from the community.

Officials say the new sign is a nod to the theatre’s past and a symbol of its continued restoration.

"Everybody's been excited to get it put back on there. It's been a long time coming and it looks great up there," said World Theatre Executive Director Mark Treadway. "It just kind of enhances the building, and If you look at it now, it looks like it's always supposed to have been there. It's just great, and I think everybody's going to love it," said Treadway.  

Local residents gathered near Central Avenue to watch the sign installation process. The new addition is the latest update for the theatre as it continues its restoration in downtown Kearney.

The World Theatre originally opened in 1927 inside the historic Masonic Temple and was closed for several years before reopening in 2012 following major renovations.