Hi-Way Theatre
6329 S. Western Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60629
6329 S. Western Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60629
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The Highway Theatre had its Grand Opening on Wednesday, November 26, 1924.
https://archive.org/details/movingpicturewor71novd/page/746/mode/1up?view=theater
Two demolition photos added credit Rita Garcia Sindelar.
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
Here is a THSA photo.
That architecture looks a lot like the Portage on the Northwest Side.
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dh833y
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
Listed as the Hi-Way in the 1960 yellow pages, similar to the alternate spelling of the Belpark.
“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.
As a teenager I worked in the Hiway in the 1960’s. I got to know the projectionist well enough that he let me run the show once in awhile (quite a feat considering how tight the union was). Behind the cinemascope screen was the original silent screen still on the back wall. I re-lamped the auditorium once, had to use a huge extension ladder to do the pillars on the walls. Inside the exit signs over the lobby doors were no longer used gas jets. I understand the organ was sold to a church for $100 years earlier.
I photographed the Hiway around 1989. From the looks of it, I’d say the theatre was built in the teens or early 20’s. At the time it was boarded up. It looked like a decent house, though certainly unremarkable. It also looked to be in decent repair. But then what are you going to do with aging cinema of no particular architectural merit, that is no longer profitable, in an outlying neighborhood of Chicago? Still it is a shame when something that was once a thriving community destination is abandoned.
If i am correct the spot whare the hiway was is now an auto insurance store and an auto parts store.
I recall this theatre`s sign if i am right it was like each letter was in a circle and it spelled out hiway.