the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise


Questions and Answers (Q&A) Forgotten Chicago Forum
Explore Forgotten Chicago
Have a question about a specific element in Chicago's history? Ask Away! 
the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Artista ()
Date: March 26, 2010 12:46AM

Does anyone here remember EXACTLY what year this great dime store was engulfed in flames? I know it was a cold winter day. Im guessing somewhere between 1973 -1975 . I watched from the north side of North ave. A very sad time for the area.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2010 12:47AM by Artista.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: bwalsh ()
Date: March 26, 2010 01:09AM

There is a story and a picture in the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1975.

(I found this on the Chgo Trib Historical Archives thru the Chgo Public Library website)

Beth

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Artista ()
Date: March 26, 2010 10:53AM

Great Beth thank you. If by any chance i cannot find this article ,could you please post the link here? thanks

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Johnny Sauganash ()
Date: March 28, 2010 11:05AM

Question about another building near this intersection -- the Empire Ballroom, which hosted a few rock concerts in the 1980s under this name. However, not sure if it was always this name nor if it actually was a ballroom or a converted theater (much like the theater further west at North and Central that was a ballroom/banquet hall up to around 1990). ... I have tried to find it on cinematreasures.org with no luck.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Artista ()
Date: March 28, 2010 11:47AM

Johnny,, could that be the same building on North ave that i had previously inquired about? The one i was speaking of was west of Pulaski, north side of street near Kedvale. Rather big and yellow bricked. I remember seeing flyers taped on the doors from time to time advertising a young Rick Saucedo performing his 'Elvis' act. This was BEFORE Elvis died, early 70s. The one i speak of was known as the Lions.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/2010 11:49AM by Artista.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Johnny Sauganash ()
Date: March 30, 2010 04:05PM

Don't think that could be the same place, as it supposedly hosted a few concerts as late as 1984. What was on what's now an empty lot at the SE corner of Pulaski & North?

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: tomcat630 ()
Date: August 13, 2010 12:21AM

The movie theater near there was the Tiffin, on south side of North Av. The Lions hall was on north side of the avenue.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: MIKETOUHY ()
Date: August 13, 2010 06:26PM

bwalsh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is a story and a picture in the Chicago
> Tribune on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1975.
>
> (I found this on the Chgo Trib Historical Archives
> thru the Chgo Public Library website)
>
> Beth


Could you try to link the CT archives here?

I've been having a hard time getting to it.

Typed up Chicago Tribune but I'm still having trouble.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: tomcat630 ()
Date: August 14, 2010 12:27AM

Try accessing it thru the Chgo Public Library website.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: daveg ()
Date: August 14, 2010 12:21PM

tomcat630 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Try accessing it thru the Chgo Public Library
> website.

I think you'll need a valid CPL card # to access the Trib archives.

If you live in the burbs, your local library card # will get you there. Worked for me.

HTH

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: frworksonpaper ()
Date: September 20, 2010 08:29PM

Here is a picture of the fire looking south on Pulaski towards North Ave.








Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Artista ()
Date: September 20, 2010 09:28PM

Frworks' THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I cant express just how great this photo is to me. There must be many more photos of the fire out there and I certainly hope we can get them here. Any suggestions?

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Berwyn Frank ()
Date: September 20, 2010 10:43PM

Thanks for posting the picture Perry! I told him Artista was cool and would love to see the picture!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2010 10:51PM by Berwyn Frank.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: 222psm ()
Date: September 20, 2010 10:57PM

Wow! It looks like it took out at least 3 or 4 buildings. Artista do you know how the fire started? From google maps it looks like it's still a vacant lot today.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: WayOutWardell ()
Date: September 21, 2010 01:45AM

Wow, great photo! I was over there recently (there's a good restaurant just south of the old bowling alley on Pulaski) and the corner of that lot has the remnants of a red tile floor, like those you'd see in a McDonalds or some sort of fast-food place...

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Artista ()
Date: September 21, 2010 04:17PM

Thanks for the compliment Frank ..i DO love that photo,,it made my MONTH.Hope more arises. 222 i dont remember how that fire started and yes it is still a vacant lot to this day...sadly. Among other things, I bought all my 'Rat Fink' car models at Woolworth

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Chipast ()
Date: October 14, 2010 06:49PM

I do believe the fire was set, As some sort of robbery or criminal act. From what I heard.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: tomcat630 ()
Date: October 23, 2010 04:37AM

I remeber alot of fires of businesses in 'changing' areas in late 60's into 70's. My dad would say 'they did it for insurance'. But arson investigations got better by 1980 and fewer occured.

That's just my observation, not 100% correct.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Chipast ()
Date: October 23, 2010 12:53PM

This I believe was during a robbery, As opposed to some other hideous act. From what I understand.

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: Berwyn Frank ()
Date: June 08, 2011 01:35PM

Artista, here are some more photo's pf the fire.









Image error
HTTP request failed with code 429.
open image URL








Options: ReplyQuote

AD:

Re: the North ave and Pulaski Woolworth's demise
Posted by: tim62b ()
Date: June 26, 2011 10:19PM

North & Pulaski Historical Society FB has a lot of info on the Woolworth's fire and maybe info on empire ballroom

Options: ReplyQuote

AD:



Home | Columns | Articles | Features | Links | Forum | Mission Statement | Staff | Media & Press | Maps | FAQ | Contact