South Shore Cultural Center facts for kids
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South Shore Country Club
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South Shore Country Club
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 Location in Chicago metropolitan area
Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 7059 S. South Shore Dr. Chicago, Illinois |
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| Area | Chicago |
| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Marshall & Fox |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000652 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 4, 1975 |
The South Shore Cultural Center is a fun and interesting place in Chicago, Illinois. It's located at 71st Street and South Shore Drive, in the city's South Shore neighborhood. This big center used to be known as the South Shore Country Club. Today, it offers many activities and beautiful spaces for everyone to enjoy.
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A Look Back: The South Shore Country Club
The South Shore Country Club started in 1905. It was built as a fancy place for people to relax outside the busy city of Chicago. The first building was designed by architects Marshall and Fox in a cool style called Mediterranean Revival. This style makes buildings look like they belong in sunny places like Italy or Spain.
In 1909, a theater was added to the club. Later, in 1916, Marshall and Fox designed an even newer building. This is the main building you see today! When it first opened, the club only allowed certain people to join. Over time, it started to welcome more different groups.
What the Club Had
The Country Club was a huge place with lots to do. Besides the main clubhouse, it had:
- Stables for horses
- A nine-hole golf course
- Tennis courts
- A bowling green
- A private beach right on Lake Michigan
It was a popular spot for members to enjoy sports and social events.
From Private Club to Public Center
By the early 1960s, the neighborhoods around the club were changing a lot. Many people who lived there moved away. Because of this, the club started to lose members. In 1973, the club decided to sell its property.
In 1975, the Chicago Park District bought the club for almost $9.8 million. Some people wanted to tear down the old buildings. But a group of neighbors and people who cared about history worked hard to save them. They convinced the Park District to keep the buildings.
A New Name and Purpose
After being saved, the facility was renamed the South Shore Cultural Center. Over the next 20 years, the main buildings were slowly fixed up and given new uses. Some of the other smaller buildings were taken down. In 1975, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site. On May 26, 2004, it also became a Chicago Landmark.
The South Shore Cultural Center Today
Today, the Cultural Center is a busy place for the community. It has many programs and facilities for people of all ages.
What You Can Do There
- South Shore Cultural Center School of the Arts: This school offers art classes for kids and teens. It has two dance studios, music practice rooms, and a visual arts studio.
- Paul Robeson Theatre: A place to watch performances.
- Fine Art Gallery: Where you can see beautiful artwork.
- Event Spaces: You can rent rooms for parties, weddings, or meetings.
- Golf Course: The nine-hole golf course is still open and anyone can play.
- Beach and Gardens: There's a public beach on Lake Michigan, picnic areas, and lovely gardens to explore.
- Nature Center: A great place to learn about nature.
- Horse Stables: The stables are now used by the Chicago Police Department's horse unit.
- Parrot Cage Restaurant: This restaurant helps students from the Washburne Culinary Institute learn how to cook and run a restaurant.
The Chicago Lakefront Trail, a long path for walking and biking, also runs right past the center.
Famous Connections
The outside of the building was used in the movie The Blues Brothers. It was called the "Palace Hotel Ballroom" in the film. Also, the Cultural Center was the place where Barack and Michelle Obama had their wedding reception on October 3, 1992.
Gallery
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Entrance Gate to the South Shore Cultural Center
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Driveway leading to South Shore Cultural Center
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Interior ballroom at the South Shore Cultural Center
