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Downtown Kalamazoo Theaters

Index (1866–1938)


These pages are an effort to identify locations and information about the theaters, cinemas, vaudeville houses, nickelodeons, and performance venues in downtown Kalamazoo, from the construction of its first opera house in 1866 to the final renovation of the Uptown in 1938.


Academy of Music (1882-1930)

East side of South Rose Street, across from Academy Street.


Acadia Theatre (1913-1922)

Southwest corner of Portage and Washington streets.


Airdome Theater (1910-1912)

North side of West Kalamazoo Avenue, between North Rose and North Burdick streets.


Bijou Theatre (1906-1910)

East side of South Burdick Street, north of South Street.


Capitol Theatre (1924-1976)

South side of East South Street, east of Burdick Street (see Majestic).


The Civic Theatre (1931-current)

Southeast corner of West South Street and South Park Street.


Colonial Theatre (1907-1916)

East side of South Burdick Street, north of South Street.


Elite Theater (1912-1925)

East side of South Burdick Street, south of South Street.


Excelsior Roller Rink (1884-1890)

East side of Portage Street, north of South Street.


Fuller Theatre (1909-1953)

East side of South Burdick Street, north of South Street.


“The Garden Theatre” (1919) (proposed)

North side of East South Street, between Burdick Street and Farmers Avenue (Farmers Alley). Proposed, but never built.


Gem Theater (1910-1912)

West side of South Burdick Street, between Main Street (Michigan Avenue) and South Street. (see Vaudet)


Grand Theatre (1933-1936)

Northeast corner of Kalamazoo Avenue and North Burdick Street.


The Greatest Life Theater (1904-1905)

West side of Portage Street, between Michigan Avenue and East South Street.


Lyric Theater (1912-1924)

South side of East Main Street (Michigan Avenue), east of Burdick Street.


Majestic Theater (1907-1924)

South side of East South Street, east of Burdick Street.


Michigan Theatre (1934-1961)

South side of East Main (Michigan Avenue), east of Burdick Street.


The New Theatre (1912-1947)

North side of West Main Street (Michigan Avenue), east of Rose Street.


Orpheum Theater (1911-1949)

North side of East Main Street (Michigan Avenue), east of Burdick Street.


Palace of Amusement (1903-1906)

North side of West Water Street, east of North Church Street.


Queen Theater (1907-1908)

West side of North Rose Street, south of West Water Street.


Regent Theatre (1919-1930)

East side of South Rose Street, across from Academy Street (see Academy of Music).


Royal Theatre (1933-1936)

East side of Portage Street, north of East South Street.


The State Theatre (1927-current)

Southwest corner of South Burdick Street and West Lovell Street.


Union Hall / Opera House (1866-1900)

West side of Portage Street, south of East Main Street (Michigan Avenue).


Uptown Theater (1938-1959)

Southwest corner of North Burdick Street and Eleanor Street.


Vaudette Theater (1907-1910)

West side of South Burdick Street, between Main Street (Michigan Avenue) and South Street.


Wonderland Theatre (1906-1907)

East side of South Burdick Street, north of South Street (see Fuller).

Sources

Information originally compiled in 1995 by J.P. Jenks. Additional information was later added by library staff. Information compiled from Kalamazoo City Directory listings, details obtained in researching newspaper reports published at the time by the Kalamazoo Gazette and Kalamazoo Telegraph Press, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, Kalamazoo County Warranty Deeds and numerous other sources. Updated October 2009


Additional Resources

Books

A History of Theater in Kalamazoo
Pixley, Jorge V., 1958
H 792 P694

Theater in Kalamazoo from 1860–1890
Johns, Marion, 1955
H 792 J65


Local History Room Files

Subject File: Theater

Subject File: Elite Theater

Subject File: Majestic Theater

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