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Illiana Hotel and Hoosier Theater
Colonial Revival
1924
Shown here is the massive Theater building behind
the apartment and storefronts.
There is a fascinating story behind this building. It was
bought and renovated by Thomas Sinstad, a man with a double career.
He began as a carpenter foreman but suffered a back injury
while lifting scaffolding. During recovery he turned to computer
programming and became a successful author of software for Commodore
computers. His programs, in fact, became the best selling software
for the platform of all time, according to a Post-Tribune
(Gary, Indiana) article.
While looking for a local printer to produce documentation
for his programs, he found a print shop in this building. After
striking up a friendship with the owner, he was encouraged to
buy up the entire building, which at the time was mostly vacant.
He applied his construction knowledge in rehabilitating the
apartments, 18 months after the occupants had been asked to leave
by authorities because the furnace was no longer operational.
He found the apartments in bad shape due to neglect, but received
$150,000 in federal rehabilitation loans for the project, through
programs administered by the Lake County Community Development
department.
At one time demolishing the theater to make way for a parking
lot was under consideration. Fortunately this was reconsidered.
According to the Post Tribune article, the Hoosier
Theater opened in 1924 and featured top vaudeville acts. The
theater is now the only operating movie palace in Northwest Indiana.
It boasts an ornate interior and a two-story-tall screen.
Theater buildings that also include a hotel or apartments
were not uncommon. They provided a double source of revenue to
the building owners. This building now consists of 10 apartments.
The structure is certified as a historic landmark by the State
Department of Historic Preservation of the Department of Natural
Resources.
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