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
Within Local District?: No
Local Dist Contrib/Non-Contrib?: NC
Local Landmark?: No
Year: No
Local Landmark Eligible?: No
Criteria: No
NR District Contrib/Non-Contrib: NC
Within District?: No
NR Landmark?: No
Year: No
NR Eligible?: No
Criteria: No
Alternate Address?: No
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 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
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
Old Address: Downtown Libertyville
Date of Construction: Downtown Libertyville
Moving Permit #: Downtown Libertyville
Date Moved: Downtown Libertyville
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