Jewel Laundry 1730 W. Greenleaf Avenue Rogers Park

Former Jewel Laundry

Former Jewel Laundry

Jewel Laundry Building


Jewel Laundry Building


Jew e Laundry Building

     This building is located at 1730 West Greenleaf  Avenue Rogers Park, Illinois.  It was built in 1912-1913 for the Jewel Laundry.  The architects were Aroner and Somers.  The builders were W. Rosenthal and Sons.  The style is Prairie and Sullivanesque.  The walls are brick with the front white glazed.  Other occupants included Maya Romanoff Wallpaper and Textiles (until 2005) and the Etiopian Community Center.

West Ridge Nature Preserve

     West Ridge Nature Preserve or Park 568 is a fairly recent addition to the Chicago Park District.  It was dedicated in 2015.  It is located at 5601 N. Western  Avenue in Chicago.  It consists of 20 acres of restored wood land and a 4.5 acre pond.  There are multiple trails in the preserve.

     The preserve is adjacent to the north west corner Rosehill Cemetery.  At one time, it was part of the cemetery.  It was never developed for burials. It was however used as a dumping ground for debris and dirt.

     In 2011, the Chicago Park District acquired the land.  They hired the Hitchcock  Design Group to create a plan for the park which opened in 2015.It

Pond at West Ridge Preserve


Same as above


Same as above


Same as above


Same as above


Woodlands at West Ridge


Trail at West Ridge


West Ridge Preserve


Pond

The Arcade Theater Fort Myers, Florida

    The Arcade Theater is located in Fort Myers at 2267 First Street.   Originally, it was located between Heitmans Clothing and The Bradford Hotel. The theater was built in 1915 by Harvie Heitman and his brother Gilmer.   It  was originally a vaudeville venue.  In 1917, it was renovated and expanded as a movie theater.  It had one screen and a capacity of approximately 400 seats.  It had a stage for travelling shows, dressing rooms

     It was rebuilt in 1938.  The architect was Roy Benjamin.   The stage was removed, New seats were installed, indoor rest rooms were added.  The movie screen was enlarged to 15 X 19 feet. Air conditioning was installed.  

     In 1977, the theater was used by the Edison Players, the Cape Coral Players, the Actors Repertory Company. 

     Bob Smith purchased the building in 1979.  He attempted to re-establish it as a movie theater.  The acting troups left. 

     The theater closed in July, 1980.  The building suffered from neglect. There was another renovation converting it into a twin theater.  It closed again In 1984.

  In the late 1980’s, the Arcade had fallen into disrepair.  In 1991, there was a benefit with Mikhail Baryishnikov to raise money to restore the theater.  

    The city have the theater to the Florida Repertory Company in 1998.  It grew in popularity under its director Robert Cacciopo

Arcade Theater Building

Arcade Theater Building

Arcade Theater

Arcade Theater

Arcade Theater

Arcade Theater

Arcade Theater Building

Interior Hall Arcade Theater