CLOSURE: Central Library will be closed Tuesday, July 21, through Saturday, July 25, while emergency repairs are made to the building’s cooling system. We expect to reopen Monday, July 27. Click for more details on holds, program schedules, and returns during the closure. 

Notice of Public Meeting: Kalamazoo Public Library Board of Trustees | July 27 | 5:30 pm | Central Library/Van Deusen Room. The packet of information for the meeting can be found on the library’s website. 

Local History

The Orpheum

Downtown Kalamazoo Theater (1911-1949)

North side of East Main Street (Michigan Avenue), east of Burdick Street (109 East Main Street).

Floorplans for this site are not available, but would generally be similar to the New Theatre. Seating was claimed to be nearly 300 including the balcony. Designed by Kalamazoo architect Rockwell A. LeRoy.

Opened and operated as a film theater from 5 August 1911 until May 1949.

orpheum-front
Orpheum Theater, 109 East Main Street (later 119 E. Michigan Ave.), Kalamazoo, c.1911. Local History Room

sanborn-map-1908-orpheum-theater
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1908. Library of Congress

orpheum-street-view
Main Street (Michigan Avenue) c.1938. Orpheum Theater is circled. Wayne State University Library

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.

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