The Citizens for the Adelphi Theater is an
advocacy group
Advocacy groups, also known as interest groups, special interest groups, lobbying groups or pressure groups use various forms of advocacy in order to influence public opinion and ultimately policy. They play an important role in the developm ...
formed by Bill Morton in an attempt to save the historic theater in
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
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from demolition.
Adelphi Theater
The Adelphi Theater, a historical landmark in
Rogers Park
Rogers Park is the first of Chicago's 77 community areas. Located from the Loop, it is on the city's far north side on the shore of Lake Michigan. The neighborhood is commonly known for its cultural diversity, lush green public spaces, early ...
, was located at the intersection of Clark street and Estes avenue. In its prime, the Adelphi was one of thirteen in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. Designed by John E.O. Pridmore, the Adelphi was an
Art Deco
Art Deco, short for the French ''Arts Décoratifs'', and sometimes just called Deco, is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, that first appeared in France in the 1910s (just before World War I), and flourished in the Unite ...
-styled building, built in 1917 with a brick and terra-cotta edifice. It originally had seating in an auditorium slanted toward the screen for 1500 people. Famous Chicago artist,
Ed Paschke was once a tenant in the second floor studio space.
Vacant
Bill Morton, owner of 4x Records, moved to Rogers Park so that he could continue to work on his business and, while looking for space for his business, came upon the vacant theater. He became infatuated with the building and its history and worked out a deal with its owners so that his band and company could use the space while upgrading its interior. The mounting struggles to keep the building standing soon became evident and Bill Morton started his first not for profit organization, Citizens for the Adelphi Theater. There was much support for Citizens for the Adelphi Theater to raise funds and renovate the beautiful, architecturally sound building.
Demolition
Alderman
Joe Moore, however, agreed to the sale and demolition of the building so that condominiums could be built in its place. The owner of the construction company working on the project did not have financial stability, however, and his company went bankrupt just after the foundation for the condos was put in.
The community members of Rogers Park now call it "A hole of a Mess" when once it was a beautiful landmark with much promise.
See also
*
List of Chicago Landmarks
Chicago Landmark is a designation by the Mayor of Chicago, Mayor and the City Council of Chicago for historic sites in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Listed sites are selected after meeting a combination of criteria, including historical, ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
Chi-Town Daily News article about Bill Mortons attempt to save the Adelphi TheaterChicago Reader article about Bill Mortons attempt to save the Adelphi Theater
Organizations based in Chicago