Lyceum Theatre

Thanks. Where can I get that catalog?

Why would the Library of Congress photograph necessarily be that of the Lyceum Theater at 39th & Cottage Grove rather than the one at Desplaines & Madison? That they bought decorations from Decorators Supply Co. on Archer Ave. really proves nothing.

I’ve seen the Library of Congress’s photograph of the Lyceum and it may not be the same Lyceum Theater. There was another Lyceum Theater in Chicago, on Desplaines Street just off Madison Street. It was built in the 1880s. What makes it so important was its proximity to the Haymarket Riot of 1886. Persons attending the meeting could look down Desplaines Street and see the 180 or so policemen marching up the street silhouetted by the lights from the Lyceum Theater. This was confirmed in the trial transcript by two witnesses who named the Lyceum Theater in their testimony.

I’m trying to find more information on the Lyceum Theater of Desplaines Street to see if it’s the same as that in the Library of Congess photograph.

From the Chicago Tribune of August 2, 1908 —– In The Theaters … Vaudeville Bills:

“The Lyceum, a new low priced vaudeville house at Thirty-Ninth street and Cottage Grove avenue, opened last evening. The opening bill included Sophia Everett and and company in a comedy sketch, Lottie Wilson, a soubrette and others. The theater, which seats 600, will introduce the innovation of changing its bill twice a week.”