State-Harrison Theater

State-Harrison Theater

546 S. State Street

Chicago, IL 60605

Status: Closed/Demolished

Screens: Single Screen

Seats: 385

Chain: Unknown

Architect: Unknown

Firm: Unknown

This was seemingly always a seedy joint. Opened in 1906 for the Jones, Linick & Schaefer circuit as the U.S. Music Hall, it was shut down briefly in 1916 for indecency, as it was always primarily a burlesque house. In 1922 an abandoned baby was found there; in 1932 there was a rapist and killer caught there; over the years gambling was broken up, mob links were found, and it was shut down repeatedly.

By 1934 it had become the State-Harrison Theater. By the mid-40s, it had gone burlesque before the city shut it down at the end of 1954 for lewd conduct. By 1967 it had changed its name to the Rialto Theater.