Joliet in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rialto Square Theatre
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020
1. Rialto Square Theatre Marker
The Rubens Brothers created the Rialto Square Theatre as a magnificent vaudeville movie palace in 1926. One of the ten most beautiful theaters in the nation, the "Jewel of Joliet" was designed by prominent theatre architects C.W. and George Rapp and is listed on the National Register.
The structure has an ornamental terra cotta facade, and an elegant interior which combines Classical European motifs.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 41° 31.563′ N, 88° 4.887′ W. Marker is in Joliet, Illinois, in Will County. It is at the intersection of North Chicago Street and East Van Buren Street, on the right when traveling north on North Chicago Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 North Chicago Street, Joliet IL 60432, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First National Bank of Joliet (within shouting distance of this marker); The Marx Brothers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Level 4: J.D. Paige (about 300 feet away); Level 5: Frederich Bartleson (about 300 feet away); Level 1: Louis Joliet (about 300 feet away); Level 2: Jacques Marquette
this page online
November 2, 2013
2. Rubens Rialto Square Theatre
Postcard published by E.C. Kropp Co. (Courtesy of Lewis University), 1927
3. Rialto Theatre, Joliet, Ill.
Although undated, the postcard likely dates from 1927, as the movie indicated on the marquee, Broadway Nights, opened in May of that year.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020
4. Rialto Square Theatre Marker
National Register of Historic Places plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2013. This page has been viewed 1,230 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on November 3, 2013. 3. submitted on October 5, 2020. 4. submitted on October 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.
