Irving Theatre
4003-5 W. Irving Park Road,
Chicago,
IL
60641
4003-5 W. Irving Park Road,
Chicago,
IL
60641
2 people
favorited this theater
Opened in 1917, at the corner of Irving Park and Pulaski (then Crawford) Roads, near Independence Park, the Irving survived until around 1970 before closing, and was demolished sometime later.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
Here is part of a Tribune article dated 4/13/21. I don’t see that anyone has discussed Race as an AKA for this theater.
IRVING THEATER PROPERTY SOLD FOR $450,000
One of the northwest side’s large movie properties, the Race Theater building at the southwest corner of Irving Park boulevard and Crawford avenue, was sold yesterday by Charles O. Race of Charles O. Race & Co.
It says “IRVING THEATER PROPERTY”. So obviously the building was named after the owner, and not the theater.
Where is Irving Park boulevard and Crawford avenue? Were the streets renamed?
Pulaski was Crawford, I think. It does say “Race Theater building”. I guess the Irving was in the Race Theater building, which is kind of odd.
Okay, thanks.
Just to confirm, Pulaski becomes Crawford Ave. in Lincolnwood, North of Devon Ave. I think Pulaski is 3600 West.
The City of Chicago is who renamed Crawford Ave. after Casimer Pulaski. So it remained Crawford Ave. North of the city.
Irving Park Road or Blvd. is 4000 North.
This site has a number of programs for the Irving Theater from 1929 and 1930.
I too saw “Night of the living dead” at the Irving, must have been in 68 or 69, gosh I was like 8? Very scary. But I thought the “Exorcist” at the Commodore (early 70’s?) was even more scary.
(I now reside at Stateville CC)
This opened on September 1st, 1917. Grand opening ad here.
The theater was in the Race Hotel, a large, residential hotel that also housed Andie’s Candies and a restaurant. I’m not sure what name is most correct, but it was more known as “Race Hotel” than “Race Theater building” in the neighborhood.