The Biograph Theater is located at 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.  It opened on September 5,1914 as a movie venue.  It had 942 seats on a single floor.  The architect was  Samuel Crowen.

     The building style is classical revival.  Features included store front width lobby, recessed entry, free standing ticket booth. Exterior was finished with red pressed brick and white glazed terra cotta.  In the 1970’s, the second floor was converted to two small auditoriums each with its own screen.  Movies were shown until 2001. The theater was closed until 2002.  It reopened under management of Village Theaters.  It closed again In 2004.It

     In July 2004, the building was purchased by Victory Guardian Theater.  An architect named Daniel Coffers was hired to supervise a multimillion dollar renovation.  Included in the project was a proscenium thrust stage, seating in the main auditorium was reduced to 209, restoration of grand stair case, conversion of the second floor to 135 seat studio theater and an adjacent rehearsal room/multiuse theater.  Facades of the theater and adjacent buildings were restored to the 1934 appearances.   The remodeling project was completed in 2006.  The name of the theater was changed to Victory Gardens at the Biograph.

Biography Theater

Marquee Biograph Theater

Marquee Biograph Theater

Ticket Booth Biograph Theater

Marquee Biograph Theater

     During the years that the Biograph operated as a movie theater, it was managed by multiple movie chains.  These included: Cineplex Odeon, Essaness Theater Corporation, Lowes Cineplex, Lubliner and Trinz, Meridian Theater, Plitt Theaters, and Village Theaters.

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Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Lincoln Park

Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Lincoln Park

Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Lincoln Park

     This sculpture is located in Lincoln Park at 2045 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago.  It was installed in 1891.   The winning artist was Louis T. Rebisso.  He was one of 12 competitors for the project.

   His sculpture consisted of an 18 foot tall equestrian bronze statue above an elegant stone arched structure.  At the dedication in 1891 over 200,000 people attended.

     In the mid 1990’s, the structure was renovated.  Included in the project was cleaning and tuckpointing the masonry, treating the bronze sculpture, and installing new lights.

    This theater was located at 2107 Fowler Street, Fort Myers.   It had one screen.  In 1940, it had 175 seats.  In 1950, it had 300 seats.  The building was demolished.

1914 Theater Grand Theater

     The Rivoli Theater was located at 4380 N. Easton Avenue in Chicago.  It opened in 1923.   Its patrons came from the Old Irving Park and the Mayfair Neighborhoods.  It  had one screen and 1,302 seats.  The contractor was Howell Knox.  It closed in December, 1949

     By 1950 or 1960, the building was being used as the Rivoli Ballroom.  It also was used as a banquet hall.  The hall was known as Antoine’s Balroom and Banquets.   At one point in time it was used as a warehouse.

     Beginning in the early 1980’s, the building was used as a Muslim Community  Center with class rooms, bookstore and a worship space.

 Poster for Concert at the Tivoli Ballroom. November 7, 1966.  Photo from Andrea Levin

     Calvary Cemetery is one of the older Catholic Cemeteries in the Chicago area located between Sheridan Road on the east and Chicago Avenue on the west.  It is located in the suburb of Evanston.  It contains the graves of veterans of the Civil War, Spanish American War, Work War , World 2 and the Korean War.

Fatality of the Spanish American War

Same as above

     The grave pictures above was that of John (Jack) E. Fallon.  He was born in 1878.  He died at Siboney, Cuba on August 13, 1898.  He was 19 years 11 months at death.

Grave of Lawrence  M. Ennis Major Illinois Infantry

Same as above

    The Edison Theater was located at 1533 Hendry, Fort Myers.   Opening date has been listed as 1920 or 1941 (the latter date is more likely.) It was operated by E.J. Sparks.  This apparently was a division of Paramount Theaters.    It had one screen.  Its capacity was 800 seats.    The style was streamline moderne–a branch of  Art Deco.   The theater was renovated into an office building in 1980.   It is now used as a bank building for the Sannibel Capitava Bank.

Edison Theater Building

Edison Theater Building

Edison Theater Building

Edison Theater Building

Edison Theater Building

     This theater was located at 4408 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.   It opened in 1913.  It had one screen.  It operated into the 1930’s.  The building still exists.

Former Montrose Theater Building

Former Montrose Theater Building