Varieties Theatre Building

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Varieties Theater Building, Variety Theatre, Theatre Comique
Life Span: ~1856-1871
Location: 115 and 117 Dearborn, NE corner Dearborn and Calhoun
Architect:

D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859

Chambers & DuBois

Dean Artemus J.

Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863
Parker John, auction and com., 115 and 117 Dearborn

Halpin’s Chicago City Directory for 1864
Variety Theatre, 115 and 117 Dearborn

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1867
Variety Theatre, Nos. 115 and 117 Dearborn, between Washington and Madison streets. C. M. Chadwick & Co., proprietors.
Russell William H. billposter 115 and 117 Dearborn, r. 134 W. Lake

John C. W. Bailey’s Chicago City Directory for 1867
Variety Theatre, C. M. Chadwick & Co., propr. 115 and 117 Dearborn

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1869
Small John H. & Co. (John H. and James L. Small, H. Granger, and F. P. Knowles), stationers and blank book mnfrs. 117 Dearborn, bindery 84 Washington
Willard, Downing & Co. (L. A. Willard and B. F. Downing), realestate and loan agts.115 Dearborn

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
Small John H. & Co. (John H. Small, H. Granger, James L. Small and F. P. Knowles), stationers, blank book mnfrs. and commercial printers, 117 Dearborn

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
Small John H. & Co., stationers, blank book mnfrs. and commercial printers, 117 Dearborn
The Life Boat, E. C. Eggleston and J. W. Dean, editors and proprs. 115 and 117 Dearborn
Dean John W. printer, 115 and 117 Dearborn
Petrie Jerome, doortender, Dearborn Theatre, r. 115 Dearborn

Chicago Tribune, September 17, 1856

EXCELSIOR LIVERY STABLE. We yesterday took a stroll through the extensive Excelsior Livery Stable of Mr. Patmore, on Dearborn, between Washington and Madison streets. These stables have just been opened, and are supplied with a large quantity of entirely new and very handsome carriages, buggies, &c., and a first rate lot of elegant harnesses. Among a great number of fine looking, well groomed horses, are some animals remarkable for their great beanty and speed.

We have never seen a stable anywhere better, and but very few as well, supplied with everything necessary to furnish complete, handsome and “speedy” turn-outs to customers, and we can confidently recommend the public to give that establishment trial. There is nothing which so completely destroys the pleasure of a drive as a miserable, lazy horse, and a dirty, ricketty carriage, nor which adds so much to it as a clean, neat carriage, and a handsome, prompt horse. Of the former our friend Patmore has “nary one,” and of the latter, “aplenty.” Try Patmore, by all means, and our word for it, you will not regret having followed the advice.

Chicago Tribune, April 2, 1858

The Partnership Heretofore Existing between the undersigned, under the name and style of Eber. Adams & Co., in the Livery and Boarding busimness at Nos. 115 and 117 Dearborn streets, is hereby dissolved by mutual consent. Hereafter the business will be conducted by A. J. Dean, one of the members of the above mentioned firm, who is also authorized to settle all matters connected with the old concern.

Chicago, March 25th, 1858
Eber. Adams,
A. J. Dean.

Western Railroad Gazette, July 7, 1860

FLAGS.—No one has failed on opening the Gazette to notice the beautiful flag cut and advertisement of Chambers & DuBois in another column. This enterprising firm are now doing a live business, furnishing, in these brisk political campaigning times, flags and banners of all kinds and in any quantity to the million. They have in fact the largest assortment of bunting and muslin American flags in the city. Also spear heads, eagles and other ornaments for their flags, banners, &c. The names of the different candidates also painted to order. Chambers & DuBois are both well known as popular, hard working and enterprising fellows. They deserve a full share of the patronage of the public both here and elsewhere.

Western Railroad Gazette, August 4, 1860

ANOTHER WORD.-For Flags, Signs, Transparencies, &c., go to “Chambers & DuBois,” No, 115 and 117 Dearborn street. They are young, prompt, enterprising, thorough business fellows and know their business thoroughly. Leave your orders there and they will be filled to your satisfaction.

Western Railroad Gazette, October 20, 1860

Chas. L. DuBois, (successor to Chambers & DuBois) has removed to the basement of Portland Block, corner of Washington and Dearborn streets, where everything in the way of Sign or Banner Painting can always be found, done up in the best manner and at low prices.

Chicago Tribune, November 24, 1863

VARIETY THEATRE.—Mr. C. M. Chadwick has wrought an entire change in this place of amusement. He has abolished drinking and smoking, and will use his utmost endeavors to make it chaste and respectable in every respect, by the adoption of strict rules and regulations, and the employment of the best dramatic talent. The proprietor states that he will spare neither pains or expense to make the Variety Theatre worthy the confidence and patronage of the best families in the city. It is located at Nos. 115 and 117 Dearborn street.

Dearborn Theatre

Chicago Tribune, May 6, 1864

CORRECTION.—C. M. Chadwick, the proprietor of the Varieties Theatre, complains, and not without reason if the facts be as stated, that the recent items in the police record of the Tribune are calculated to do him injustice. First, in the account of the recent descent upon a gambling house, Mr. Chadwick was said to be the proprietor. We are assured that he had no interest whatever in the establishment. He was the lessor of the room only. In the account of that other case wherein a danseuse, said to be attached to his establishment, and a German or Italian Count the hero. We are told that the report was wrong to this extent, that Mrs. Muller is not a regular attache of the Varieties Theatre. She has never appeared on the stage but once, and then as a volunteer merely. She is generally known, too, not as Mrs. Muller, bat as Marie Louise Zanfretia.

Chicago Tribune, September 13, 1865

LAST EVENING an adventurous maiden, disguised in the habiliments of masculinity, was discovered in the Varieties theatre, and, of course, arrested. Whether actuated by a love of change, a spirit of romance, or a desire to facilitate dishonest practices of “ye fayre maiden,” will have an opportunity explaining this morning—to Justice Milliken.

Chicago Evening Post, February 8, 1866

THE VARIETIES.—The Variety theatre is nightly crowded. The managers keep up such a bill of attractions is not to be wondered the people patronize his house so largely. The bill up now, is one of the best of the season.

Chicago Tribune, January 23, 1867

The Variety Theatre Imbroglio.
Charles M. Chadwick who has during the past two years figured in a number of suits involving the property of the Varieties Theatre on Dearborn street, was yesterday before the Circuit Court on a writ of habeas corpus. He was arrested a few days since on a writ of satisfaction, sued out by Thomas Ball. who had recovered A judgment of $1,000 and costs in an action of trespass against him and Henry Pilgrim. The writ was issued on the alleged inefficiency of the writ, the seal of the Court being not sufficiently distinct. The Court held that the point was not well taken, and the petitioner was remanded to jail. He subsequently satisfied the judgment and was released.

Chicago Evening Post, May 6, 1867

SCENE IN THE VARIETIES.—Last Saturday night, about half-past eleven o’clock, screams and oaths were heard to proceed from the second story of the Varieties Theatre building, on Dearborn street. A policeman rushed up-stairs to see what was going on. In the hall, on the second floor, were a man and woman engaged tooth-and-nail Fight—of which the woman had apparently got the worst, as she was bleeding profusely. The actors in this interesting but sanguinary drama were of no the other than C. M. Chadwick, proprietor of the theatre, and a woman named Mrs. Everts, who has long been his reputed mistress, his wife and children to the contrary notwithstanding. It seems that Mrs. E. had more and fully availed herself of the liberty of thought and action peculiar to the precincts of the Varieties, than its and her joint proprietor proved; whereby an attempt was made to forcibly correct the matter—resulting in bad words, blows, bloody noses and a march of both to the Police Station. Ample bail for their appearance this morning being furnished by the theatrical himself and mistress were allowed their freedom. This morning the Police Court docket showed that “Charles Harrison” and “Mrs. Allen” were charged with disorderly conduct. The proprietor of the Varieties answered to the first name, and pleaded guilty for both himself and Mrs. Allen alias Everts, the latter thus being spared the mortification of an arraignment such as other prisoners are compelled to submit to. Chadwick and Mrs. Everts fined $5 each and costs.

Chicago Evening Post, June 17, 1867

The Varieties Theatre in the Hands of the Sheriff for Debt.
The premises known as the Varieties Theatre building, fixtures, etc., this morning was taken possession of by the Sheriff of Cook county, upon an attachment for debt, and is now under lock and key, in charge of that official, who at some future time will proceed to sell the same, in accordance with the statute in such case made and provided, to the highest bidder for cash. Chadwick, the proprietor, is—no one knows—with his fancy team and buggy, his fancier woman, and the fanciest amount of greenbacks he has been able to pocket; while the poor wretches not to say actors—who have perpetrated stale witicisms and smutty joke at so much a week, are lugubriously inquiring for the responsible man—an inquiry which the police authorities should have long since have prosecuted. Exit Varieties—exeunt actors minus creditors.

Chicago Tribune, September 19, 1867

The Theatre Comique Closed.
Charles M. Chadwick, for come time the managing force of the Varieties or Comique Theater, was yesterday arrested under an indictment for keeping a gaming room. A bench warrant had issued, and some desire was manifested to bring him into court, as the grand jury which returned the bill had made hie establishment the subject of a special recommendation, asking the Mayor withdraw the presumption of sanction on the part of the city, by revoking the license to the Varieties as a theatre, or its attendant saloon. The arrest of Chadwick brought into court his near neighbor Ball. Between these two parties there is an ancient fend. They have been respectively plaintiff and defendant in almost any number in of court in the county, and in several which have been traveling the precincts of the Supreme Court. Towards Ball, Chadwick expressed himself in rather strong language—such language as might be rather fairly expected to be uttered by a man long accustomed to a low order of companionship. At one time it seemed likely in order that the Court would have to be appealed to in order to prevent the continued of use of vile language as applied to the witnesses against him. When the case was called Chadwick pleaded guilty and set up in bar to the penalty that he now closed up the business. Sentence was suepended on the payment of costs.

The institution. the Varieties, or the Theatre Camique, has, pending all the difficulties of its old proprietor, come to grief. The owner, Mr. John Parker, had made occasion for a suit, to recover possession, and the judgement given in his favor having been affirmed by the court vacation of last the resort, there has been a complete of vacation of the premice. The establishment no longer exists.

Chicago Tribune, November 3, 1868

BLANK BOOKS.
Our Blank Book Manufactory is now in complete running order. Orders promptly filled.

John H. Small & Co., Stationers
117 Dearborn-st.

Chicago Tribune, September 29, 1871

CO-PARTNERSHIP
The undersigned will continue business as Stationers and Blank Book Manufacturers at the old stand. No. 117 Dearborn-st, under the name and style of John E. Small & Co.
John E. Small
Harry Grainger

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
The Life Boat, E. C. Eggleston and J. W. Dean, editors and proprs. 115 and 117 Dearborn

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