Willard Theatre
340 E. 51st Street,
Chicago,
IL
60615
340 E. 51st Street,
Chicago,
IL
60615
1 person
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The Willard, in Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood, on 51st Street at Calumet Avenue, was opened in 1911 for the Jones, Linick and Schaefer circuit, as a venue for both movies and live performances. From about 1917 to 1926, it was known as the New Park Theatre. The theater could originally seat around 1000, but seating was later reduced.
During the 20s and 30s, like many South Side theaters, the Willard/New Park was a popular venue for jazz performers in addition to onscreen entertainment. It was acquired by the Essaness chain in its later years of operation.
The Willard closed as a movie theater during the 50s, and today the building is home to a church and community center.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Was this previously known as the New Park? Jazz Age Chicago has a New Park Theatre listed with 1000 seats as of 1923 at 342 E 51st.
It opened in 1911. View link . It was renamed the New Park from about 1917-1926. It actually DOES still stand. Although the address maps to the NW Corner of Calumet and 51st, it is still there, actually at the NE Corner. It looks like the surrounding building has been reconstructed, but the theater stands. It was originally a Jones, Linick, Shaefer theater, and later Essaness.
Here are photos of this theatre. As I said, the status of this theatre should be changed to closed, function as community center/church.
Fascinating find. That is a pretty big room. On casual glance I’d say there easily could have been over 1,000 seats in there at some point.
Here is a March 1915 ad from the Suburbanite Economist:
http://tinyurl.com/m9lbyz
The March 1915 ad seems to get around.