California Theatre
3434 W. 26th Street,
Chicago,
IL
60623
3434 W. 26th Street,
Chicago,
IL
60623
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The California Theatre was an early theatre, built in the South Lawndale neighborhood (today’s Little Village) around 1909 at W. 26th Street and S. Trumbull Avenue by Fred H. Franke. It presented both vaudeville and movies. Later called the Cal Theatre, the theater was operating at least into the 1960’s. Today, the building houses a retail business.
Contributed by
Brian Wolf
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
On Tuesday, June 11, 1957, the California theatre was listed as the CAL in the Chicago Sun Times. It was showing a triple feature: “TATTERED DRESS” “ISTANBUL” “FEAR STRIKES OUT”. On Monday, June 26, 1961, their policy was considerably different. From the Sun Times: CALIFORNIA Phone 521-0657 3434 W. 26th All Czech Films & Program.
The current occupant is a linen store called Golden on 26th.
It appears the second story of the building was removed at some point, as it is a one story building today. Current tenants as of June 2018 Street View were Express Shoes and Cash For Gold.
Circa 1954 photo added credit Jennifer Ann Vejvoda. “Easy To Love” and “The Great Diamond Robbery” on the California Theatre marquee. Her grandmother pictured.
I don’t know why my previous comment isn’t rendering properly, but the names of the California’s owners in 1912 were F. H. and E. A. Franke.