Date of Construction: 1937

Architectural Classification: No Style (altered)

Survey Area: Downtown Libertyville


  • 708 N. Milwaukee Avenue Libertyville IL 60048
    42.289666, -87.954196
  • Building Details

    Building name: Liberty Theater

    Ground Floor Use: Theater

    Upper Floor Use: N/A

    Current Occupant: Liberty Theater

    Zoning: C-1

    Number of Stories: 1

    Property Index Number: 1116303001

  • Local

    Within Local District?: No

    Local Dist Contrib/Non-Contrib?: NC

    Local Landmark?: No

    Year: No

    Local Landmark Eligible?: No

    Criteria: No

  • National Register

    NR District Contrib/Non-Contrib: NC

    Within District?: No

    NR Landmark?: No

    Year: No

    NR Eligible?: No

    Criteria: No

    Alternate Address?: No

  • General Information

    Category: Building

    Condition: Good

    Integrity: Major alterations

    Current Use: Recreation and Culture - theater

    Historic Use: Recreation and Culture - theater

    Secondary Structure: Recreation and Culture - theater

    NR Second: Recreation and Culture - theater

  • Architectural Description

    Architectural Classification: No Style (altered)

    Details: No Style (altered)

    Other Year: 1968

    Date source: Illinois Digital Archives/ Permit

    Wall Material (Current): Brick

    Wall Material 2 (Current): Wood

    Plan: Rectangular

    No of Stories: 1

    Roof Type: Flat

    Roof Material: Not Visible

    Foundation: Concrete

    Porch: Concrete

    Window Material: Metal

    Window Material 2: Metal

    Window Type: pivot

    Window Configuration: Multi-light

    Significance: Multi-light

    Historic Features: Part of historic marquee remains over main entrance to theater

    Alterations: Theater extensively altered in 1968--vertical marquee partially removed/covered with vertical wood and wood siding; most windows along side bricked in; replacement front entry doors

  • Historic Information

    Old Address (city dir.year: Theater extensively altered in 1968--vertical marquee partially removed/covered with vertical wood and wood siding; most windows along side bricked in; replacement front entry doors

    Building Moved?: Theater extensively altered in 1968--vertical marquee partially removed/covered with vertical wood and wood siding; most windows along side bricked in; replacement front entry doors

    Moved From: Theater extensively altered in 1968--vertical marquee partially removed/covered with vertical wood and wood siding; most windows along side bricked in; replacement front entry doors

    Original Owner: Theater extensively altered in 1968--vertical marquee partially removed/covered with vertical wood and wood siding; most windows along side bricked in; replacement front entry doors

    Original Architect: Theater extensively altered in 1968--vertical marquee partially removed/covered with vertical wood and wood siding; most windows along side bricked in; replacement front entry doors

    Architect Source: Theater extensively altered in 1968--vertical marquee partially removed/covered with vertical wood and wood siding; most windows along side bricked in; replacement front entry doors

    Builder: Theater extensively altered in 1968--vertical marquee partially removed/covered with vertical wood and wood siding; most windows along side bricked in; replacement front entry doors

    Surveyor: LR

    Surveyor Organization: Ramsey Historic Consultants

    Survey Date: May-June 2016

    Survey Area: Downtown Libertyville

  • Permit/Historic Information

    Old Address: Downtown Libertyville

    Date of Construction: Downtown Libertyville

  • Permit Moving Information

    Moving Permit #: Downtown Libertyville

    Date Moved: Downtown Libertyville

  • Original Permit Information

    Building Permit #: Downtown Libertyville

    Date: Downtown Libertyville

    Building Permit Description: Downtown Libertyville

    Cost: Downtown Libertyville

    Original Owner Occupied?: Downtown Libertyville

    Exterior Alteration Permits: 4765 (12/26/1968)--remodel theater front ($25,875.00); 88-655 (10/25/1988)--remodel interior lobby area

    Other Permit Information: 4765 (12/26/1968)--remodel theater front ($25,875.00); 88-655 (10/25/1988)--remodel interior lobby area

    COA Info: 4765 (12/26/1968)--remodel theater front ($25,875.00); 88-655 (10/25/1988)--remodel interior lobby area

    Historic Info: Information included with 1950s photo of Liberty Theatre on Illinois Digital Archives (photo and information provided by Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society and Cook Memorial Public Library)-- "Located on North Milwaukee and Newberry Avenues, the Liberty Theatre opened its doors on August 27, 1937. The owner, Fred W. Dobe, first polled the community to determine whether or not Libertyville was satisfied with the existing moving picture facilities on the second floor of the Gridley Building. When Mr. Dobe was convinced that the area would support a modern theatre, he proceeded with plans for the building. At the time of its opening, the Liberty was admired for its ultramodern design, 700-seat capacity, parking lots and air conditioning. Actor Marlon Brando was employed as a theatre usher for a short time, when he lived in Libertyville between 1939 and 1941. The marquee on this post card reads, "Cary Grant & Katharine Hepburn in 'Holiday' and Comedy and Latest News."

    Other Sources: Historic photograph from the 1950s on Illinois Digital Archives (in collection of Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society and Cook Memorial Public Library)-- http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/cookmemo11/id/121 http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/cookmemo11/id/1252/rec/1 Assessor's photograph from the 1970s on Illinois Digital Archives (in collection of Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society and Cook Memorial Public Library): http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/cookmemo11/id/6671/rec/4

    Historic Info Compiler: LR

    Volunteer: LR

Print-Friendly PDF
© 2024 PlaceVision Inc | Help | Privacy