< --Previous Up Next–>
Back to Theatres of Chicago
Windsor Theatre, New Windsor Theater, The Lincoln
Life Span: 1886-1961
Location: 468 North Clark Street (1225 N. Clark Street, between Division and Goethe)
Architect: Oscar Cobb
Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1887
Windsor, 468 N. Clark
Lakeside Business Directory of the City of Chicago, 1899
Lincoln Theatre, 468 N. Clark
Inter Ocean, September 12, 1886
NEW WINDSOR THEATER
Something About Its Construction.
A beautiful new theater will be opened in Chicago in another week, and an advance glimpse from the architectural stand-point at its. salient features is in order. To one riding toward Lincoln Park on North Clark street there looms up, just beyond Division street, on the east side of the great thoroughfare, which is fittingly termed the backbone of the North Side, moorish tower of graceful outline, and stretching north from this most pleasing facade, 129 feet in extent on Clark, street, and three stories high, the Oriental school of architecture dominating the whole frontage of galvanized iron, brown stone, pressed brick, and terra cotta All this rich construction 18 only the prologue or introduction to the theater, which lies quite separate to the eastward, magnificently cut off by wide areas on every side from the attack of flames without, while the abounding wide exits would bid defiance and good-by to any panic from within. Such extra safeguards constitute an invaluable attraction for the Windsor Theater, a name that can never be associated with any manner of scare even, and that is sure to become reigning favorite as standing for a charmingly fitted up family theater in the midst of choicest residences, while easily accessible by eleven street-car lines, and offering the same attractions as the Dest houseR down town. Certainly Messra, Francis P. Owings and Howard L Goldy, the buuders and sole owners of this $125,000 improvement, have provided the public with an amusement temple that will be appreciated,
The main entrance is via the highly ornamental tower at the south which gains a height of nearly 100 feet, and soon a reception parlor receives you after traversing the Alhambra arches of the corridor through the business block, and straightway the auditorium lies wide and inviting before you, the elegant curtains and the harmonious decoration of ceiling and wall in rich Oriental coloring forming an environment of artistic warmth of color for the expause of 2,000 seats and the great depth and width of the stage. The effect is exceedingly rich and intensified by the moresque elaboration of the arches whether of boxes and proscenium or of the semi-circle of “loges,” unique in this city, which border with scollops and richness the one low gallery or balcony of the theater. The “loges” are separate from each other, though closely continuous, and seated with opera chairs and combine much of the privacy of the six first floor boxes together with possession of individual seats In the rear of the loges and raised some five feet, with a separating rail, comes the gallery proper. On the main door, where the three state boxes on either side are royal with rich draperies, nickel plating, and brass work, the parquet ascends gently from the orchestra, and back of that the parquet circle rather steeply, the result being an unimpeded view or toe stage from every seat. The stage is one of cue largest in the West being 40 feet deep and the proscenIum arch having a width of 36 feet and is equipped in complete and latest style, including the dressing-rooms The dimensions of the theater proper are 78×112½ feet.
The decoration throughout is effective and artistic, and was executed under the eye of Mr. F. N. Atwood, the well-known artist and superintendent of decoration with S. S. Barry & Son, Nos. 258-60 Wabash avenue. On the ceiling the predominant colors are crimson, blue, and gold, with shadings of olive, while upon the walls the color effect is that of Oriental draperies in gold, crimson, and bide, bung upon metal, and wild con peacock feathers in the broad cove, next the ceiling. The woodwork is of mahogany tone. Over the proscenium arch the color is richer than elsewhere on the ceiling, and emblazons an Oriental head. The arched openings above the boxes are filled in with actual and most elegant draperies, the background consisting of stamped velvet-plush of peacock bine and golden-olive satins, while looped back from these, suspended from brass bar, are portieres of crimson and gold and the sparkling effect or jewels Wrought upon the drapery there is a handsome medallion in brilliant colors, Mr. Atwood’s knowledge of the theory and practice of theater decorations has been perfected in over thirty theaters all over the United States.
The house will be officially opened about Sept. 20 under the experienced management of Philip H. Lohnen, of Syracuse, N.Y., who now has the leading opera houses in both Rochester and Syracuse under his management, as also the Grand Opera House of New York The attractions that he has already secured are such as Sol Smith Russell, Prince Carl, Hungarian Students, Erminie, from the Casino, New York, MoCaull Opera Company, Black Hussara, Modjeska, Rhea, and others equally popular.
To go back to the three story block facing Clarke street and separated from Windsor Theater by a twenty foot area—except where the entrance way and a billiard hail intervene—its use, as intimated is for business purposes, there being six choice stores on the fret floor, and above twelve of the handsomest flats on the North side, having stained glass windows, not and cold water and all modern conveniences Also there is handsomely furnished hail that will evidently be in great demand for use of societies, probably different organizations using it on different nights.
As to Architect Oscar Cobb, who planned the Windsor Theater and supervised its construction, the result is not only one more Chicago play-house added to the score of more which he has designed here, while his out-of-town orders in the same line have exceeded ready enumeration. It is more; in just estimate the Windsor Theater combines to unusual degree the freshness of treatment characteristic of a maiden eftort with the rounded tecnique of the veteran. It duplicates nothing that has gone before in his practice, except as every equal number has its divisor. and in the western new departure of the “loges” and their individual treatment, it takes the cake.
M. B. Bushnell, No. 227 South Leavitt / street, supervised all the wood construction of the theater, and aid the first-class work as in the many other theaters built by him in this city, like the Academy of Music, the Columbia Theater, Madison Street Theater, North Chicago Museum, all planned by Architect Oscar Cobb.
Louis Daegling, No. 257 Center avenue, was the general contractor for the foundation and other masonry, and he has given in this instance, as always, decided satisfaction with hie work, he being one of the long established and most experienced masons in Chicago.
J. Barcolomel & Co. Washington and Green streets, did all the ornamental stucco work, as about the loges and the proscenium. He has furnished this decoration for more theaters than any man living, his skilled handiwork being found all over the United States .
To the old reliable firm of John Doerr & Co, 134 North Clark street, was awarded the painting contract, and it was executed admirably. Ever since 1856 Mr. Doerr has lived in this city and been foremost among her skilled painters.
The L S. Baldwin Manufacturing Company, No. 75 Madison street, supplied all the brass rails and other metal work, and tilled the contract with the thoroughness that has marked his work in all Chicago’s theaters, built for many years past,
The carpets, draperies, and upholsteries were supplied by Mrs. George Bedell, No. 265 North Clark street, who makes a specialty of theatrical work, having similarly catered to the Chicago Opera House, the Grand, Mc Vicker’s, Hooley’s Her correct taste and mastery of detail are recognized.
A comfortable seat at a theater 18 everything, and certainly these 1,100 opera chairs, with spring books and plush luxuriousness the bill and the sinuosities of the back to perfection. They are one of the latest designs of A. H. Andrews & Co., corner Wabash avenue and Adams street.
Chicago Tribune, September 6, 1886
THE NEW THEATRE. The Windsor, on North Clark Street, Rapidly Approaching Completion–How It Looks.
The Owings-Goldy Block of six handsome stores, three high, including the new Windsor Theatre, stories, the east side of North Clark street, near Division, is rapidly approaching completion. The frontage of the structure is composed of galvanized iron, cut stone, and pressed brick. From an architectural standpoint it is Oriental in style. The theatre itself is 80 far as to convey a general idea of its proportions. The main entrance is at the soutn end of the block, and is surmounted with a very ornamental tower, the bighest point of which rises to an altitude of ninety-two feet above the sidewalk line. Proceeding along the main entrance, which extends fifty-two feet through the business block, a reception-parlor is reached, and then, after passing beneath a series of ornamental arches, a corridor or lobby in the rear of the auditorium. The main floor is divided into two parts—the parquet and parquet circle. The former is constructed on a slight incline, while the latter rises very rapidly, so as to give an unobstructed view of the stage and its surroundings from all points.
One of the features of the auditorium is that it has but one tier above the parquet circle. The effect is very striking, and at once conveys the idea of ample space. The upper tier is divided into two sections, the front portion consisting of a line of boxes running round its entire length. Each compartment will be separate and distinct and be seated with operachairs, furnishing the exclusiveness of private boxes, if necessary, with the accommodation to the patrons of occupying individual seats. In the rear of this balcony circie, raised to an altitude of five feet, with a separating rail, is located the gallery proper. The seating capacity will aggregate 2,000. The design and decoration of the auditorium are moresque in style, and the details, fresco work, upholstery, carpets, etc., will be in unison with the general architectural design.
Another special feature of the auditorium is that it is placed on the rear of the lot, extending north and south, with an open court twenty feet wide between the theatre and the business block, with an alley at the south end sixteen feet wide, and a public alley on the east side twenty feet wide, thus giving ample means of exit in the shortest possible time in case of emergency. The building will be illuminated with electricity by the use of the incandescent light. The stage is forty-eight feet deep by seventy-eight feet wide, with dressing-rooms placed in the rear of the prompt and opposit prompt entrances.
The accommodations for chorus singers. members of the ballet, and minstrel troupes will be underneath the stage. The stage itselr will be fitted with twenty complete sets of scenery, including all the necessary set pieces, wings, borders, etc., with the usual spring, vampire, star, and other traps, working bridges, raking pieces, etc., required for the production of the latest and most improved spectacular effects. The drop curtain, representing a Moorish scene, tormentor wings, and grand drapery border are now finisbed and ready to be put in their places. It will be under the management of Philip H.
Lehnen of the Weiting Opera-House, Syracuse. The doors will be opened to the public for the initial performance Monday, Sept. 13, inaugurating a season of forty weeks, the engagements for which are already completely filled, and include such attractions as J. K. Emmet, Lotta, Rhéa, Joseph Jefferson, the Boston Ideals, John T. Raymond, etc..
Inter Ocean, August 25, 1895
THE LINCOLN.
The Lincoln Theater, the pretty and popular playhouse of the North Side, which was practically the last house in the city to close for the summer, will enter upon the second season of its prosperous career this after-noon. The exclusive management of the theater is now vested in Mr. James S. Hutton, who, unhampered, and with his well-known executive ability and enterprise, is now in a position to make the Lincoln what he ever intended it should be a first-class theater. He did much toward achieving that end last season, and will accomplish his purpose before many weeks, for he has filled the coming season with an array of surprisingly good attractions. The season will be inaugurated with Bronson Howard’s great and familiar war play, “Shenandoah,” which will be interpreted by an elicient company, and pre-septed with substantially the same scenery and effects used in the long run at the Academy of Music, New York city, last year. The story of the play is too familiar to be repeated; all that may be said is that “Shenandoah” is one of the most interesting plays ever presented. The play will be given all the week, including the Thursday and Saturday matinees.
Chicago Tribune, May 11, 1914
Theater Landmark Now Film House.
One of the oldest bits of Chicago realty hallowed to things theatrical received a new lease of life on Saturday evening with the formal opening of the new Windsor theater, at Clark and Division streets, the site of the old Windsor theater. which opened formally, according to a framed copy of the program, on Sept. 20, 1886. Its successor is an attractive, well finished. airy house, seating 1,500 people on the main floor, in the boxes, and the balcony, which, for the present, will be devoted to the exhibition of good feature films. The theater is owned and controlled by the International Amusement company, and is under the management of W. P. Shaver.
Adelina Patti, famed singer of the nineteenth century, once occupied a box at the Windsor when a young singer who was her protege was making her debut. A canopy was stretched from the door- way to the curb, and the carpet under it was strewn with roses for Mme. Patti’s entrance.
The Windsor Theatre was opened as part of the Lubliner & Trinz circuit on 9 May 1914. It was one of the earliest projects from the firm of Rapp & Rapp. The theater was later run by the H & E Balaban chain.
The theater was remodeled by the firm of Pereira & Pereira in 1936. The Windsor operated into the late-1950’s, and was razed by 1961.
New Windsor Theatre
468 N. Clark Street
1886
thank you for the great article about the New Windsor.
I used to go to that Theater in the mid 1950’s.
The seating plan that you enclosed reminded me of the exact seat I was in while watching King Kong, and The Giant Claw.
Thanks again.