So West Haven used to have 8 theaters, but they’re all gone now. Sad. Where do these people go for entertainment? The city couldn’t even keep ONE for a community center?
I went here back in the early 70’s when a high school friend of mine did a road trip to visit his friend there. Stayed at the Harland House! Great landmark as well. So glad it’s still showing movies after all these years!
According to this site, Racine had 17 theaters at one time, and ZERO today! What happened? Two of these are supposedly going to be renovated, but I see no follow up articles. How could a city the size of Racine have no theaters open?
Such a beautiful interior! Can’t understand why it was converted to a gym so early in its life?! Thanks, Broan for the link. I like the description of the architectural style: “Collegiate Gothic”! That’s a new one on me!
Glad they didn’t alter the top half of the building. Too bad the bottom half lost all their original doors. Is the neighborhood that dangerous that the entrance looks so uninvitng?
Sad to look at all those vintage b&w archive photos. Those beautiful statues and light fixtures! I hope they were salvaged by appreciative collectors and not vandalized or thrown in the dumpster!
A shame the building couldn’t be saved. Wonder how The Sunset Club was? You had a theater that was turned into a nightclub, adjoining shops and offices or apts above. Englewood has no theaters left. They had a lot once. Very sad.
Very sad. I used to drive down Roosevelt Road up until a year or so ago. Took pictures of this block. It could have been renovated and reused, as well as the storefronts and apts adjoining it. Didn’t the alderman care? Look at the neighborhood! What does he actually do to earn his salary? Seriously. I’d like to know, cause driving by, I still see plenty of empty lots and boarded up buildings.
The Newberry and the Chestnut were two separate theaters within a block of each other on the west side of Clark St. The Newberry was torn down, the block replaced by a high rise apt. The Chestnut Station was a former post office converted to a pretty nice multiplex.
Opened in 1911 and closed in 1924?! Such a nice facade. I wonder why such a short life? You would think a theater this size could have weathered many a change. Nice facade lit by bulbs!
According to JAZZ AGE CHICAGO, the theater was closed from 1935-1946. You would think this theater would have been in demand during the war years, being that size, but I guess there were so many theaters during that time it didn’t matter. Still, I hope they salvaged the ornamentation for collectors during demolition.
Kellylo, those old props and posters if they are still there, and not chewed up by the rats could be worth a FORTUNE! I hope whoever owns the building doesn’t do something rash and just throws them in the dumpster when/if they ever renovate the theater. Would make a great decor!
It’s odd that someone would build a brand new movie theater in a neighborhood that still had plenty opened! And to last barely four years. That ugly four plus one building that replaced it is no improvement! One day, I’m sure town hoses will replace that.
Hey Yves! Very nice of the manager to show you the storage area where the main auditorium is! I’d like to get into the Bryn Mawr and see what’s still there!
So West Haven used to have 8 theaters, but they’re all gone now. Sad. Where do these people go for entertainment? The city couldn’t even keep ONE for a community center?
I went here back in the early 70’s when a high school friend of mine did a road trip to visit his friend there. Stayed at the Harland House! Great landmark as well. So glad it’s still showing movies after all these years!
FYI: It was the first theater built in downtown Chicago after the ill fated Iroquois Theater Fire of December, 1903.
I like the understated look, like the recently closed Bijou Theater in Chicago. Unlike the garish neon filled facades of straight porn shops!
I love that they retained the sleek deco top of the theater and the sides. Sad that not one theater remains in Superior?!
According to this site, Racine had 17 theaters at one time, and ZERO today! What happened? Two of these are supposedly going to be renovated, but I see no follow up articles. How could a city the size of Racine have no theaters open?
Such a beautiful interior! Can’t understand why it was converted to a gym so early in its life?! Thanks, Broan for the link. I like the description of the architectural style: “Collegiate Gothic”! That’s a new one on me!
Glad they didn’t alter the top half of the building. Too bad the bottom half lost all their original doors. Is the neighborhood that dangerous that the entrance looks so uninvitng?
Sad to look at all those vintage b&w archive photos. Those beautiful statues and light fixtures! I hope they were salvaged by appreciative collectors and not vandalized or thrown in the dumpster!
A shame the building couldn’t be saved. Wonder how The Sunset Club was? You had a theater that was turned into a nightclub, adjoining shops and offices or apts above. Englewood has no theaters left. They had a lot once. Very sad.
I love the unique marquee letters! Deco!
Theater too small for the nearby competition or couldn’t make the transition to sound?
Very sad. I used to drive down Roosevelt Road up until a year or so ago. Took pictures of this block. It could have been renovated and reused, as well as the storefronts and apts adjoining it. Didn’t the alderman care? Look at the neighborhood! What does he actually do to earn his salary? Seriously. I’d like to know, cause driving by, I still see plenty of empty lots and boarded up buildings.
The Newberry and the Chestnut were two separate theaters within a block of each other on the west side of Clark St. The Newberry was torn down, the block replaced by a high rise apt. The Chestnut Station was a former post office converted to a pretty nice multiplex.
I would have liked to see the original facade. This church does not inspire confidence in the neighborhood with that look! More like a fortress!
Looks like a colorful marquee when lit after dark! There seems to be a sign over the side part of it. “For Sale”? Or rent?
Opened in 1911 and closed in 1924?! Such a nice facade. I wonder why such a short life? You would think a theater this size could have weathered many a change. Nice facade lit by bulbs!
According to JAZZ AGE CHICAGO, the theater was closed from 1935-1946. You would think this theater would have been in demand during the war years, being that size, but I guess there were so many theaters during that time it didn’t matter. Still, I hope they salvaged the ornamentation for collectors during demolition.
Kellylo, those old props and posters if they are still there, and not chewed up by the rats could be worth a FORTUNE! I hope whoever owns the building doesn’t do something rash and just throws them in the dumpster when/if they ever renovate the theater. Would make a great decor!
It’s odd that someone would build a brand new movie theater in a neighborhood that still had plenty opened! And to last barely four years. That ugly four plus one building that replaced it is no improvement! One day, I’m sure town hoses will replace that.
So instead of torching a government building, idiot protesters burned down a landmark theater. NICE GOING MORONS!!!
I totally agree, JT. WTH is going on here, except the beautiful terra cotta and gargoyles don’t mesh with the BLAND glass façade behind it. Sad.
I always thought that this building used to be a theater. Love the red brick and terra cotta being kept up nicely at age 100!
Hey Yves! Very nice of the manager to show you the storage area where the main auditorium is! I’d like to get into the Bryn Mawr and see what’s still there!
Hey Seamus1972. Your story piques my interest. Email me at: . I LOVE a good ghost story. I have a few theater ones myself..