Schell Theater

This theater was opened in 1904, and was owned and operated until 1912 by Henry W. Schell, who also owned the neighboring Boulevard Theater at 5522 S. Ashland Avenue. The theater is listed in the July 29, 1916 issue of Motography as still operating. In the 1920’s and 1930’s, the location was a grocery store. By 1950 and into the 1960’s, a major home appliance store was in the space. The building has since been demolished, and is currently a vacant lot.

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Joe Vogel on June 15, 2018 at 8:00 pm

This item appeared in the “Building Permits” column of the June 25, 1910 issue of The Economist, and doesn’t match up with the information above:

“Chas Klappame, 1 story brick theater, 25x124, 5518 South Ashland av; architect, A. G. Ferree; builder, owner. 7000.”

The Boulevard Theatre is listed at 5522 S. Ashland in the 1914-1915 American Motion Picture Directory, but I don’t see the Schell Theatre listed, nor any theater at 5518 Ashland.

The brick-fronted building occupied by the First St. Peter M.B. Church of Chicago looks like it could have begun life as a theater, though it uses the address 5524 Ashland. Still, I suspect that it is in the old Boulevard Theatre building.