The fate of Old Town's Noble Horse Theater: Keep on keeping on at Illinois Horse Park

That building you see from the Brown Line. The Noble Horse Theater building at 1410 N Orleans in Old Town looks to be run down and closed for good. The web site and Facebook page make no mention of the state of the theater company. 

I passed the quirky Noble Horse Theater property a few weeks ago on showings in Old Town. The riding company had been considered the oldest in North America and the building dates back to 1871. The building and theater are in bad shape and shut down. No horses are to be found.  Eight or so horse drawn carriages remained in the stables that day.

I called the number for Noble Horse today and a gentleman picked up right away.  I believe it was owner Dan Sampson. He told me they are closed and looking to open up next spring at the Illinois Horse Park near Starved Rock State Park.  He said the carriage company and theater "were done" and the City had no interest in preserving the historical property. He had several opinions about doing business in Chicago... but you'll have to ask him about those yourself.

Coat of Arms line the wall on Sedgwick side near the Antique Coach and Carriage Company mailbox.

One thing is for sure.  It will be interesting to see what will be developed and who will develop the good sized parcel.  The west side of the 1400 block of North Orleans faces the train.  It is home to a large condo building and loft conversion units. Condo units have sold from $218,000 to $675,000 on the block over the last two years.

Pretty good Old Town location.