Pilsen in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Story of Thalia Hall

Photographed By Sean Flynn, June 21, 2024

1. The Story of Thalia Hall Marker

Inscription. Thalia Hall was founded by John Dusek at the turn of the century as a neighborhood establishment. Dusek was a family man, a tavern owner, and a facilitator of the arts. He was a visionary, and the founding father of Thalia Hall. His hope for the corner of 18th & Allport was to build a public hall for the community. In 1892 his dream became reality. A multipurpose property that would offer commercial storefronts, residential housing, and a public hall for the community. It was inside this ground floor corner unit where he chose to operate his family tavern. It truly was the center for the community he'd imagined. We humbly seek to re-establish this turn of the century meeting place. We pay homage to Mr. Dusek restoring the same neighborhood spirit to our corner ordinary where his family tavern once lived and breathed.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 41° 51.469′ N, 87° 39.452′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Pilsen. Marker is at the intersection of South Allport Street and West 18th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Allport Street. The text is affixed to a window on the west side of Thalia Hall, facing Allport. Touch for map. Marker is at or

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near this postal address: 1807 South Allport Street, Chicago IL 60608, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Ignatius College Prep Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); Maxwell Street (approx. ¾ mile away); Paul Muni (approx. 0.9 miles away); Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (approx. 0.9 miles away); Juvenile Court of Cook County Building (approx. 1.1 miles away); Jane Addams' Hull-House and Dining Hall (approx. 1.1 miles away); Jane Addams' Hull House (approx. 1.1 miles away); West Side Grounds (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding The Story of Thalia Hall. Thalia Hall has been designated a Chicago Landmark by the city's Commission on Chicago Landmarks. However, no Chicago Landmark plaque could be spotted on the site when visited in June 2024.

Also see . . . Thalia Hall official site. (Submitted on June 21, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed By Sean Flynn, June 21, 2024

2. Thalia Hall

The historical text is on a window beneath "Thalia Hall."

Photographed By Sean Flynn, June 21, 2024

3. Thalia Hall

St. Procopius Church is in the background.

St. Procopius Church image. Click for full size.

Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum, 1908

4. St. Procopius Church

The church across the street, St. Procopius, can be seen in this 1906 photo by the Chicago Daily News, taken from about a block east. The site of Thalia Hall is not visible but would be across the street, on the left side.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 51 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.