The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chicago Theater

Rapp and Rapp, architects; 1921

— Chicago Landmark —

Chicago Theater Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn

1. Chicago Theater Marker

Inscription. A distinctively American building type, the motion picture palace provided a fantasy environment in which fantasies of stage and screen could be enjoyed. This Beaux-Arts style building, with its elaborate decoration and grand proportions, was one of the first such buildings in the nation and is the oldest surviving in Chicago. Its upright sign and marquee are an unofficial emblem of Chicago.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on January 28, 1983 by the City Council of Chicago.
Jane M. Byrne, Mayor

Erected 1983 by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 41° 53.128′ N, 87° 37.663′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is on North State Street south of Lake Street, on the right when traveling north. This plaque is in the center of the entrance to the Chicago Theatre and is the middle of three affixed to the theater's front. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 177 N State St, Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Page Brothers Building (here, next to this marker); Couch Place (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Couch Place (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oliver Building (about 500 feet away); Harris and Selwyn Theaters (about 500 feet away); 35 East Wacker Drive Building (about 500 feet away); Viet Nam Memorial (about 600 feet away); South Water Street (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. History of The Chicago Theatre.

Excerpt: "The Chicago Theatre was the first large, lavish movie palace in America and was the prototype for all others. This beautiful movie palace was constructed for $4 million by theatre owners Barney and Abe Balaban and Sam and Morris Katz and designed by Cornelius and George Rapp. It was the flagship of the Balaban and Katz theatre chain."

(Submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicago Landmark website: Chicago Theater. (Submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 20, 2023

2. Chicago Theater Marker

The marker is on the right; a second Chicago Landmark marker for the adjoining Page Brothers building is on the left.

Nighttime view of the Chicago Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 18, 2023

3. Nighttime view of the Chicago Theatre

Chicago Theater Center marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 18, 2023

4. Chicago Theater Center marker

This marker is on the right side of the building, near the alley, recognizing the combination of the Chicago Theater with the Page Brothers Building next door.

Chicago Theater image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 20, 2023

5. Chicago Theater

The theater's iconic marquee, in a photo taken facing south from near Lake Street.

Roger Ebert medallion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 24, 2023

6. Roger Ebert medallion

This medallion in the sidewalk in front of the Chicago Theatre honors Roger Ebert, the long-time film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. Ebert was best known as co-host of "At the Movies"—with the late Gene Siskel, namesake of a film center across the street from the Chicago Theatre.

Chicago Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, September 5, 2021

7. Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre and its iconic marquee, towering over State Street, is seen here from the platform for the CTA Green Line "L" train. The adjoining Page Brothers building is to the left of the marquee.

Photographed By Chicago History Museum, circa 1923

8. Chicago Theater

An exterior view from the 1920s of the Chicago Theater, where the 1921 film "Broken Chains" is playing.

Photographed By Max Rico Printing Company, Chicago (Curt Teich Art Card), circa 1925

9. Chicago Theatre

Note the marquee lists the film “Broadway Rose”, originally released in 1922.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 20, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 6. submitted on November 24, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 7, 8. submitted on November 20, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 9. submitted on November 20, 2023. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.