Patio Theater
114 S. Galena Avenue,
Freeport,
IL
61032
114 S. Galena Avenue,
Freeport,
IL
61032
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Publix Theaters Corporation
Firms: United Studios, Inc.
Functions: Office Space
Styles: Moorish
Nearby Theaters
The Patio Theater opened on March 6, 1930. The theater closed on January 31, 1970. The Stephenson County Farm Bureau is located on the site today.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
I don’t believe that the Patio Theatre has been entirely demolished. The narrow building fronting on Galena Street, which is the right size for a theater entrance and lobby, is attached to a larger building which backs up to Spring Street and has two walls that angle inward, as do the walls either side of a theater’s proscenium. This building is also occupied by the Farm Bureau. There is a vacant area that I suspect held the stage house, which appears to have been the only part of the theater that was demolished. The bulk of the auditorium structure remains, and can be easily seen in Google’s satellite view.
The January 7, 1930, issue of The Freeport Journal Standard said that the Patio Theatre was designed and built by United Studios. That Chicago firm employed various architects at various times, among whom were Fred Jacobs, Ralph Beaudry and Larry P. Larsen, but I don’t know which of them worked on the Patio.
I have just found a bronze dog with notation on base that it was from “The Biscuit Eater” an MGM movie. A beautiful piece and in researching I find this (note typing errors as found): June 24, 1940 Freeport Journal-Standard from Freeport, Illinois · Page 11 CONTEST HELD BY PATIO WITH SHOWING OF FILM, “The Biscuit Eater,” which comes to Patio theatre on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, Manager Milton Brown has announced that a contest will be held, patrons being invited to write a 50-word review after seeing the picture. The person writing the best review will be awarded a cash prize of 35 and also a beautiful bronze statue of “Promise.” the dog which is starred in the film. 7AKEN IN OFFICE OF LOCAL Participants in the contest are asked to leave oheir written reviews at the Patio’s box office or to mail them direct to the theatre. The contest will close next Saturday. “The Biscuit Eater,” which has the child-actor. Billy Lee, in its leading role, is the heart interest story of two youngsters and their dog. It has been acclaimed by screen critics as a great “ma«5 entertainment 1 ‘ motion picture, which will be enjoyed by everyone in the family and especially by those liking dogs.
Anyone with any history on this contest please share it. There is absolutely nothing on the ‘net’. Not even a picture of this beautiful bronze statue..by the way I found it in the small town of Hood on the Sacramento (Ca.)delta. cps
Sorry…this was a Paramount Picture cps