Harding Theatre
2724 N. Milwaukee Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60647
2724 N. Milwaukee Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60647
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Balaban & Katz Corp., Lubliner & Trinz, Publix Theaters Corporation
Firms: Fridstein & Company
Styles: Italian Renaissance, Neo-Classical
Nearby Theaters
The Harding Theatre was one of the largest of the theatres of the Logan Square neighborhood, originally seating just under 3,000. It was the sister theatre of the Congress Theatre, also in Logan Square, and the Tower Theatre in Woodlawn.
The Harding Theatre, located on N. Milwaukee Avenue between N. Spaulding Avenue and N. Sawyer Avenue, was originally built for the Lubliner & Trinz circuit opening October 12, 1925 with Lewis Stone in “What Fools, Men!”. Around 1928 it was acquired by Balaban & Katz. The Harding Theatre had a 3 manual 18 ranks Wurlitzer organ which was opened by organist Edward E. House. The Harding Theatre was closed in 1963 and demolished a year later.
Contributed by
Ray Martinez
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Recent comments (view all 20 comments)
The stores the belonged to the Harding Theatre and the building are still standing except for the auditorium, and the lobby.
Vintage photograph of the Harding’s projection room in 1928 showing it’s bank of Motiograph projectors http://flic.kr/p/9GmG8u
there’re 2 fine 8x10 B&W HARDING THEATRE photos i stumbled across over the Memorial Day wknd thanks to my wife Claire’s help, in the files of the so-called Chicago History Museum, or as anyone with a proper sense of history would say Chicago Historical Society (history per se does not get remodeled). One image’s from 1961, the other just prior to demolition in 1963, both from out in front of the bldg on Milwaukee Ave showing the full vertical sign & marquee. The 1961 shows marquee lettering advertising a food catering operation, which tells me even by that year films had ceased.
With any luck and proper overtures too at least one of those images will lead-off this CT Theatre listing before long
OMG,,i use to hang around there all the time i loved miwaukee ave as a child ,,and as a teen ,, in the parking area behind the stores as mentioned by rso 1000,, i use to hold make out sessions in the parking area ,during the 1980,s i had a conversion van,, i never knew that was once a theater ,,i hate to see all the beautiful movie palaces disapeer ,,this one was tore down around the time i was born,,i wish i could have seen it,,matt
To Brian Krefft,There was a small movie theater on Armitage on the south side of the street a half a block west of Cicero. I’m not sure but I think the name was The Avondale. Do you have any information on this location or theater by that name?
That would be the Main Theater at 4815 W Armitage, which is already listed on CT.
Added 1933 Photo courtesy of the Northwest Side Of Chicago Facebook page.
I love the 3 Little Pigs getting top billing over the feature!
The Harding had its grand opening on Monday, October 12th, 1925. I’ve posted an ad in the Photos Section.
https://archive.org/details/movingpicturewor76sept/page/648/mode/1up?view=theater