Terminal Theatre
3315 W. Lawrence Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60625
3315 W. Lawrence Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60625
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I’m doing a project on the terminal theatre and i’m amazed that theres only that one picture. Theres got to be more. My boss spent alot of time in the 1950s at the terminal theatre when he was growing up and a clear shot of the buidling would be great. If anyone has a nice shot of it please post it. That one photo on here is just too dated and you can hardly see in the distance. thanks for you help
CHICAGO TRIBUNE ad for Thursday, January 7, 1926 announced that the Ascher’s New Terminal Theatre, Lawrence & Spaulding, “The Pride of Albany Park,” was opened on the above date. The old Terminal at 3308 W. Lawrence had become the new Metro theatre, opening the previous year. I’m assuming they liked that name, “Terminal,” because the Ravenswood branch of the rapid transit terminated at Lawrence and Kimball, not far from these theatres.
I was asked about the Terminal on another board to which I replied. I am placing that reply here as well (where it properly belongs):
“Re the Terminal:
It was the closest theater to where I lived and the one I most often attended— the last time was in 1962. In early 1963 I went West and eventually into the Navy for 8 years. While in the Navy the Terminal (to my later sad discovery) was torn down.
Here, for you and others who may visit, I’ll tell you much of what I remember about the Terminal (inside and out)— this will be my tribute to the place where I spent many happy Saturday afternoons as a child: there was a large overhanging marquee with flashing lights that ran along the periphery, with a large vertical lighted sign rising above (about 30-40 feet high) displaying the “Terminal” name (named for the Ravenswood [now Brown Line] terminal-depot at the Western end of the block (the Terminal was on the South side of Lawrence Ave. about ½ block East of the El terminal at Kimball Ave.).
There were two ticket booths, one as an island (entered from the outside) centered directly under the marquee, and another which extended from the inside to the right-front side of the exterior. You entered the theater through large brass-windowed doors which opened into a hall area to another set of metal windowed doors you passed through to enter the theater proper. There were nice carpets and wall decorations, as well as staircases immediately on either side as you entered, rising to the second landing and balcony (from childhood memory I would estimate the theater was 1500-2000 seats).
The interior theater seating area: the screen was covered by full length curtains which opened at the start of the show, below which was a stage used for stage shows and special events during the lifetime of the theater. On either side of the interior side-walls at mezzanine level, there were small decorated alcoves giving the appearance of side seating areas (just for show-no real seats), as well as other decorations.
Most every Summer Saturday afternoon the Parental School (home for troubled kids) would walk about 20-30 of them in-line from their property on Foster Ave. West of Kimball (about a mile away) to the Terminal where the balcony was reserved just for them.
There was a small refreshment stand and Grandfather clock near the center of the main floor. The rest rooms were upstairs, and I remember looking out the Men’s Restroom window into the El-Yard which extended behind the Terminal, covering the entire block.
I especially enjoyed going to Saturday Matinees, especially when they had a Cartoon Festival. When I was about 6-12 years of age (1948-54) I’d get into Saturday Matinees for 15 cents, which then (as with all theaters of the time) included two full length movies, a short subject (often a Disney Production), a cartoon, and trailers of “Coming Attractions”— those were the days!!"
Apparently, those single-story photos across from the station were designed by rapp & rapp
The second Terminal was designed by JEO Pridmore for the Ascher Brothers. -Tribune, Feb 1, 1925
Brian’s 1929 picture of the Terminal linked above is actually looking East down Lawrence Ave. not West as given. The Ravenswood el terminal (for which the theater is named) can be seen in the foreground. This el terminal is on the Southeast corner of Kimball and Lawrence Ave. which will allow you to properly orient yourself to the photo. On a recent trip to Chicago for my son’s birthday weekend, I took him on an el and subway ride downtown starting at this Ravenswood terminal. Unfortunately, the terminal building in the photo has been torn down and replaced with a walk-in open-air entrance.
I forgot to mention that if you go to the area where the Metro used to be, you’ll recognize the theatre facade which yet remains at the site of the store now utilizing that location.
The Metro was a small theater (smaller than the present day multiplexes) across the street from the Terminal theater (North Side) between Christiana and Kimball Aves. (a bit closer to Kimball). It closed about 1952. I remember pestering the manager of the Metro for when the new Superman movie which was coming there would finally arrive (Superman and the Molemen). To my disappointment it came and went before I discovered it had been there. However, I continued to visit the Terminal on a regular basis throughout the 1950s and early ‘60s. I remember watching the kids from the Parental School on Foster Ave. (between Sawyer and Crawford) walking together (10 or 20 of them) nearly every Saturday to the Terminal where they were allowed to sit in the balcony area which was opened solely for them. I often wondered what it was like to be in the shoes of those kids, having the good fortune to have a good home and parents of my own.
No, i’m from Des Plaines. I just get around a lot.
PS — I agree about the stores, they don’t seem to have any interiors. Massive renovations?
Neat! I grew up at Kimball and Ainsle, a block north of Lawrence. Went to Hibbard grade school. Are you from the same neighborhood? Thanks …
I went to the Terminal I site the other day and 3306 and 3308 are both entrances to the same store which would be in the old theatre space. Therefore the Terminal I and Metro/Metropolitan must be one and the same. It’s now a Korean discount store called “Shoes New York”. There is a good deal of attractive terracotta work remaining, albeit badly damaged. The theatre is faintly visible in the distance of this picture (Is it just me, or do the stores across the street seem to lack interiors?). Incidentally, and rather ironically, the Terminal II was likely torn down to make way for the rebuilt Kimball terminal (1974) for which it was named and from which it likely had drawn much of its business.
Hi, Brian! Can’t really help with the question, however entrances can and have been moved. Good luck!
Glad to help! I figured the time period was rather far off, but so it goes. Now, another question I had about the Terminal was this. What was the story with the original Terminal, which still stands? This site lists the Metro as 3306 W Lawrence, one door down from the shown address for the original Terminal. Jazz Age Chicago shows both at 3308. However, the former theatre entrance lies in the middle of a number of stores built with it, correct? So they couldn’t be next to each other. Jim Rankin, in other posts on this site about ‘backwards theatres’ includes an entry, “5) The METROPOLITAN, 3308 W. Lawrence, Chicago, IL (later TERMINAL, METRO)” So, are these in fact the same theatre? I would assume it would have reverted to the Metro name upon opening of the new Terminal. On the other hand, Terminal I is shown as a 1500 seat vaudeville/movie venue on Jazz Age and Metro shown as a 1000 seat backwards venue here, so these are clearly not compatible descriptions… anyone know what the story is?
Hi, Brian!
Thank you for finding this picture. It’s not the one I originally saw, but it’s perfect!
Best regards,
Barry
Here is a circa 1929 Photo of Lawrence avenue facing west towards the second Terminal, as well as the Metro across the street.
I am seeking a photograph of Lawrence Avenue featuring the Terminal Theater, circa 950, black and white, facing west down Lawrence. I know it exists — it used to be in a Clark Street restaurant, now closed. Any help?