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

Inscription. 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. Marker 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.

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 (about 300 feet

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away); Level 3: Charles Reed (about 300 feet away); Auditorium Building (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joliet.

Rubens Rialto Square Theatre image. Click for full size.

November 2, 2013

2. Rubens Rialto Square Theatre

<i>Rialto Theatre, Joliet, Ill.</i> image. Click for full size.

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 October 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2013. This page has been viewed 751 times since then and 53 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.