Clark Theater
Clark Theater Soundex Code C462
Chicago, IL 60602 United States
Seats: 1550
Architect: John E.O. Pridmore
Opened as the Columbia Theater in 1911 and designed by architect J.E.O. Pridmore, this 1550-seat legitimate house was remodeled in 1923 by A.H. Woods and renamed the Adelphi Theater. In 1931, the theater was turned into a movie house, and given yet another new name at this time, the Clark (it sat close to the intersection of Clark and Madison Streets).
During the 50s, the original Blue Note jazz nightclub, which hosted such legends as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Sarah Vaughan, was located just a couple doors down from the Clark, until it closed in the early 60s.
The Clark continued to operate into the early 70s (by then screening adult films), last operated by the Kohlberg chain. The theater was razed in 1974, along with the entire block of late 19th and early 20th century buildings it was part of.
