Pickwick Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pickwick Theater Building
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Pickwick Theatre
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, Illinois |
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| Area | 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Roscoe Harold Zook, William F. McCaughey, Alfonso Iannelli |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000657 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1975 |
The Pickwick Theatre is a famous movie palace located in Park Ridge, Illinois. This town is a suburb of Chicago. The theater is known for its cool Art Deco style.
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About the Pickwick Theatre
The Pickwick Theatre first opened its doors in 1928. It was designed by architects Roscoe Harold Zook, William F. McCaughey, and Alfonso Iannelli. When it first opened, it was a place for both vaudeville shows and movies.
Iconic Design and Features
The theater is easily recognized by its tall, 100-foot tower and its bright sign, called a marquee. You might have even seen them before! They appeared in the opening credits of the TV show At the Movies.
Inside, the main movie room, called the auditorium, was built to look like an ancient Aztec or Mayan temple. It was very grand! When it first opened, about 1,400 people could sit in the main auditorium.
Renovations and Updates
Over the years, the Pickwick Theatre has been updated. In 1968, the number of seats in the main auditorium was reduced. Then, in 2012, even more seats were removed, making the space more comfortable. The 2012 project also added a new roof and made other improvements to the building's outside, including the famous marquee.
History and Recognition
The theater got its name in 1928 from the mayor of Park Ridge, William H. Malone I. He named it after a character, Samuel Pickwick, from a book by Charles Dickens called The Pickwick Papers.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its unique design and history, the Pickwick Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This means it's an important building that should be protected.
The theater still shows movies today and also hosts live stage shows. In 1990, the theater added three new screens behind the original auditorium. Later, in 2017, the owner, Dino Vlahakis, added another small theater with 39 seats on the second floor.
In 2018, the Pickwick Theater was chosen as one of the "Illinois 200 Great Places." This was part of a celebration for Illinois' 200th birthday. The American Institute of Architects Illinois group picked it for this honor. More recently, in 2022, the Pickwick Theatre was even featured in an episode of the TV show Chicago Fire (TV series).
See also
In Spanish: Pickwick Theatre para niños
