Roscoe Theatre
2042 W. Roscoe Street,
Chicago,
IL
60618
2042 W. Roscoe Street,
Chicago,
IL
60618
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Additional Info
Functions: Fraternal Hall, Office Space
Previous Names: Seeley Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Seeley Theatre was in operation from 1914 until 1929. The theatre was reopened in April 1938 as the Roscoe Theatre, and operated until 1953. It was located in the Roscoe Village neighborhood, on W. Roscoe Street and N. Seeley Avenue.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
The earlier posts about Sussex and Reilly are correct. If you go through the alley, you can still see the original back of the building. When I was a kid (I grew up a few blocks away from the theatre), the building was already the German club, but if I remember correctly, the facade still retained the red, white and blue ceramic tiles, which I presume were from its theatre days. My mom used to go the the Roscoe growing up. Across the street was Hoffing’s Dept. Store (where the Village thrift store is now). I hope someone turns up some pictures.
I grew up at 3517 n bell, wish there were some pictures as well, never was in the theater building but we sure went to Hoffing’s a lot!
i lived at 3452 hamilton from 1939 to 56. have been in the theater countless times. changed the marquee, sold popcorn, etc. i believe the capacity was around 300, as it had no balcony. i had correspondence with a local pub owner several years ago. she said she had lots of roscoe st. pix, incl the Roscoe, but had to rummage the basement, nothing ever came of it. maybe it’s time to bug her again. if she’s still alive, and is willing to look for the treasure. i’ll be happy to share.
I was born in 1950, and grew up at 2315 Roscoe from 1952 to 1969. My dad said that he took me to the Roscoe Theater once. I remember it mostly as the Rosco Hall, the German social club. The E was removed from the bottom of the sign, during renovation I guess. My family shopped a lot at Hoffings, unless we went to swanky Wieboldt’s on Lincoln Ave.
To ALDO7: Please, oh please, pester that pub owner again. I would absolutely love to see pictures of Roscoe Street from that era. I know I’ll be sorry I ever said this, but I’d even pay to to see pictures of Roscoe Street from that era. I’ve been online many times trying to dig up Roscoe images from my youth, and found next to nothing.
To gjvalent: Hey, I lived right around the corner from you at 3425 N. Claremont, from 1959-1988. You’ll be happy to know that so far, your old building is still intact, even after a plague of McMansions in the area.
Photos posted in photo section via Forgotten Chicago on Facebook
FYI, I was waiting for permission to post those. So I could credit the original source and share his story.
The photos are now on this site.
Yes I’m aware, thank you. I added one more from Tim Paske of his father out front. He had private messaged me on Facebook.