"The Uptown" - Tracey Capone Photography

Today’s Photo of the Day, “The Uptown,” holds a special place in my heart…

When I first moved to Chicago back in 1999, I had only been to the city a handful of times, mostly for business, and never had the opportunity to get out and explore too much beyond the downtown area. So, when looking for my first apartment here, while I had advice from co-workers already living here, I was flying a bit blind.

Back then, the common advice was, “Don’t move above 5000N” (funny how things change as now, back in Chicago, I’m living well north of that) This was Uptown, pre-Starbucks, pre-Borders (ok well now it’s post-Borders but, at the time, Borders moving in was huge), pre-”a whole lot of things that made Uptown what it is today.” Upon receiving the advice not to move above 5000N, I promptly chose an apartment right at 5000N, on Argyle. Uptown was going to be my new home.

For those who know Argyle, especially the stretch along Sheridan, you know that my trip to the Red Line took me past headless ducks hanging in the windows of the local markets, the now boarded up and abandoned halfway house that used to be on the corner of Sheridan and Argyle and any number of interesting individuals who, as far as I was concerned, made life all that much more interesting. (I would like to take a moment to pay homage to the character I like to call “Karaoke Man” who, dressed like James Brown, used to serenade people with a fake microphone and a red guitar) I was a city girl now and, despite the occasional gun shot, reported mugging and somehow getting stuck in the middle of a police raid coming out of the Red Line terminal, I loved it.

The Uptown Theatre, located at Broadway and Lawrence, was constructed in 1925 and is the largest in Chicago. (Fun fact- It’s also said to have larger interior space than Radio City Music Hall) While it is no longer being used, it has been the site for a number of location shots for movies including one of my all-time favorites “Backdraft.”

Unfortunately, time, the elements, vandalism and an unfortunate situation with a pipe bursting has taken it’s toll on this Uptown gem which is flanked by some other popular landmarks, The Green Mill and The Aragon. Many are working towards the restoration of this wonderful space and I, for one, hope that I get to see the day when it can once again be used.I wanted my shot to capture the beauty of the crimson marquee and I hope that I accomplished that here.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Enjoy!

*tracey*