Hi-Way Theatre

6329 S. Western Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60629

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Stern Theater Interests

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Highway Theatre, Hiway Theatre

Nearby Theaters

LOBBY

Located on S. Western Avenue at W. 63rd Street in the Marquette Manor neighborhood on the south side of Chicago.

The Highway Theatre was opened on November 26, 1924. The auditorium featured original murals on the wall. The original murals contained many transportion related themes including airplanes, ships, trucks and railroads.

In the early-1960’s, the Hiway Theatre was also used by the Chicago Savings and Loan Association on alternate Saturday mornings for a free show for local children. Parents had to stop at the S & L (a block away from the Hiway Theatre) to pickup the tickets.

When renovated in the mid-1960’s, the murals were painted over with an ghastly yellow paint. In the late-1960’s, the Hi-Way Theatre was converted to all adult move format. It was closed by 1991 and was demolished in 1996.

Contributed by RonDombrowski

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

Edward Jurich
Edward Jurich on October 9, 2007 at 6:58 pm

“cinema of no particular architectural merit” I wanted to mention that as well as the old silent screen behind the cinemascope screen was a lot of fancy plaster work that could not be seen. The original silent screen was quite small and around it was plasterwork extending out to the exit doors on both sides of the cinemascope screen. The lobby had beautiful woodwork in it. Somewhere I have a couple pictures of the theater. If I find them I will post a link here.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 26, 2008 at 12:00 am

Listed as the Hi-Way in the 1960 yellow pages, similar to the alternate spelling of the Belpark.

Edward Jurich
Edward Jurich on February 16, 2009 at 1:05 pm

New link, besides the pictures, there is a short 8mm film clip driving by the Hi-way in the 60’s with the newer marquee.

View link

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on February 10, 2011 at 2:31 pm

That architecture looks a lot like the Portage on the Northwest Side.

Broan
Broan on January 17, 2016 at 1:20 pm

Here is a THSA photo.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 17, 2016 at 10:02 pm

Here is a 1991 Chicago Reader article courtesy of Tim O'Neill, about the failed attempt to revive the Hi-Way as a performing art center. The Hi-Way was torn down about 5 years later.

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/hi-way-slobbery-who-blew-the-boulevard-arts-center-deal/Content?oid=878681#.VsSa0nrbiks.facebook

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on January 13, 2018 at 11:28 am

Two demolition photos added credit Rita Garcia Sindelar.

Broan
Broan on November 28, 2021 at 11:16 am

https://archive.org/details/movingpicturewor71novd/page/746/mode/1up?view=theater

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill on June 17, 2023 at 10:35 am

The Highway Theatre had its Grand Opening on Wednesday, November 26, 1924.

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