Valencia Theater
1580 Sherman Avenue,
Evanston,
IL
60201
1580 Sherman Avenue,
Evanston,
IL
60201
4 people
favorited this theater
Originally called the Evanston Theater, a vaudeville-turned-movie house built in 1911, this theater was completely rebuilt in 1932 as the Valencia Theater, with increased seating for around 950 and Art Deco style decor.
The Valencia Theater was acquired by the Chicago-based Balaban & Katz chain not long after it reopened. It later was operated under B & K’s successor chains, ABC Theatres, and finally Plitt Theatres.
The Valencia Theater, one of downtown Evanston’s most popular movie houses, closed in 1975.
The Valencia Theater has since been razed, replaced in the early-1980’s by an eighteen-story building that now houses the world headquarters of Rotary International.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
The Rotary International building on the site of the old Valencia, was originally built as/for American Hospital Supply Corporation. They had moved I believe from smaller quarters over on Ridge Ave. North of Church St.
It was at the time a huge deal for/in Evanston. As it was only their 3rd “new high rise” by then. The State Bank building was the 1st, then The Holiday Inn (now Best Western at Lake & Sherman) & AHS.
In the early `80’s, the old Wieboldt’s building was torn down at Church & Oak Streets. For an office building for a then compnay called Shand Morahan. I don’t know who owns it now, but it
was the 4th tall building to go up though.
They relentlessly bashed at that old Wieboldt’s with a wrecking ball for weeks. It had casons that were easily 8 feet thick supporting it throughout. It was filled with escalators & glass display cases. It was sad to see that one go.
It had it’s own theatre style overhang with can lights over the sidewalk, that stretched all the way to the Chicago North Western train tracks to the East. Amazing that Marshall Field’s & Wieboldt’s only a block from each other, both sold their building’s in Evanston after so many years.
As of today, Evanston is peppered with “Stop The Tower” signs on homeowner lawns. Apparently there is yet another high rise proposed for what was once a sleepy little city.
I previously mentioned on the Varsity Theatre page, that Evanston artist Ron Crawford had once done a haunting drawing of the Valencia being torn down.
Does anyone have a link to any pictures of the Valencia? Thanks.
This theater is listed in an advertisement in the Oct. 4, 1915 Chicago Tribune for Alfred Hamburger’s theater circuit as the “Evanston Strand, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston”. I can’t find any other listings, though, with that name.
The marquee of the Valencia can be seen in this photo and this photo, circa 1970.
I have to believe “The Tower” is dead. The credit markets are terrible, there are a huge number of units in Evanston as we speak, and at least one new development has stalled at the half-way point.
My two cents says the condo boom is over. But in the process, sleepy little Downtown Evanston was transformed into something resembling the Las Vegas Strip.
I believe you are correct Life’s Too Short. The fallen economy likely will take “The Tower” with it. Not to mention Evanston’s rather high property taxes. NU still pays next to nothing I believe, even though they have prime lakefront & downtown land. Some of which they surely must rent out to others.
But that’s another story.
There did seem to be quite the downtown condo glut last time I was through there. Our 30th H.S. reunion was actually at Blue Moon Restaurant on Sherman, in the block South towards Lake St.
Thanks for the pictures mp775. They sure brought back memories. Smithfield Foods had a deli I often bought sandwiches from
77 -81. It then closed and became a Bennigan’s in `85 or so. There were some piano studios above Smithfield Foods. Long time (and long ago) Susie Wong’s pianist Bobby Cook had his studio up there as well.In the second pic, you can just make out the B&G restaurant that was at the corner of Grove & Sherman. Now a trendy Bar Louie, after having a few other short term names over the years. Melbert’s was one in 1982. The Keg was the next restaurant West of that. Still is I think.
I didn’t remember the Valencia Theater being that close to Grove. I thought it was closer to Davis. But the CTA bus kind of blocks out what stood around it.
Definately early
70's though. In both shots the Ford Maverick, Dodge Dart & boat-tail Buick Riviera (71-`73), all seem period correct. But the much older model CTA bus in the 1st shot though, seems almost out of place to even it’s own surroundings.Seeing that older bus reminded me that when they filmed part of Danny Kaye’s movie “Skokie” in Evanston, they used a bus on Sherman at Lake. Completely awash in it’s own mobile lighting. Several takes were done in front of our Holiday Texaco at 1450 Sherman. Now the site of tavern Tommy Nevin’s since 1990. Fitting.
We had based our name on the Holiday Inn that was relatively new, 1974 or so, across the street. The Holiday Inn was actually home to Evanston’s very first bar.
Most restaurant’s were allowed a “bring your own” policy, but none could serve their own alcohol until 1980 or `81. The 1st liquor store, Evanston’s First, opened in 1985 on Davis St.
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As a kid in the 50s I used to go to the Valencia for the 25 cent double feature Saturday matin̩es. With serials! The 15 cent popcorn (unbuttered Рbuttered cost a quarter) was served in cardboard boxes which, when flattened, made excellent projectiles for hurling at the screen which was a favorite past time at matin̩es.
This sport reached its apogee during a double feature that sticks in my memory: “Rock Around the Clock” AND “Don’t Knock the Rock.”
When forced by my parents to take my little sister to the movies I exacted revenge by taking the then four or five year old with me to see “Godzilla” thus instilling a terror which, 50 years later,
remains
Sonny & Cher appeared at the Valencia during a press junket in the `60’s.
When the Valenica closed, there was an article pointing out that it went back to Vaudville Days and Ann Margret had watched “Rebel Without A Cause” there countless times. I saw rereleases of “American Graffitti” there, as well as MASH. Also a terrible Christopher Lee Fu Manchu Movie, and the first Billy Jack movie “Born Losers.” Best of all was “Kansas City Bomber” on a double bill with “Ben.” Compared to the Varsity, it was a real little dump, but it had a great location and from the comments some real memorable events.