University Auditorium or the College Theater Building and nicknamed "The Barn" was a multi-purpose arena and theater in Chicago on DePaul's Lincoln Park campus.[1][2]
The Barn | |
 | |
| Location | 2219 N. Sheffield Ave. Chicago, IL 60614 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°55′23″N 87°39′18″W / 41.923°N 87.655°W |
| Owner | DePaul University |
| Operator | DePaul University |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1906 |
| Opened | 1907 |
| Renovated | 1920 |
| Demolished | 1979 |
| Architect | John Pridmore |
| Tenants | |
| DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball (NCAA) (1923–1956) | |
History
editConstruction of University Auditorium began in 1906 and was completed in 1907.[3] During World War I, the facility served as barracks for the Student Army Training Corps.[4] In 1920, the venue was remodeled into a gymnasium[5] and the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team first played in the facility in 1923.[3] The team played in University Auditorium until 1956 with the team's last game being a 91-77 victory versus Lewis University on February 21, 1956.[4] The Blue Demons had their longest home-court winning streak in school history with 81-straight wins at "The Barn".[3] University Auditorium was replaced by Alumni Hall as the home venue of the men's basketball team on December 16, 1956.[4] The venue caught fire in 1967 and was demolished in 1979.[6][7] The Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center is now located on the site of University Auditorium.[7]
References
edit- ^ "DePaul Basketball A-to-Z". depaulbluedemons.com. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ "The Barn". depaul.edu. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ a b c "DePaul University Auditorium; College Theatre". digicol.lib.depaul.edu. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ a b c ""The Barn" at DePaul University". chicagonow.com. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ ""The Barn", also known as DePaul University Auditorium". flickr.com. January 1918. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ "Then and now: Chicago's lost sports venues". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ a b "DePaul University Auditorium; College Theatre". library.depaul.press. 8 April 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2019.