The Uptown Theater
Downtown Kalamazoo Theater (1938–1959)
Built and run as a film theater from 24 August 1938 until 6 June 1959.
Claimed to seat 725. No balcony, but included a “cry room” on the second floor for mothers with babies.
Uptown Theater, c.1942. Ward Morgan Photography Collection, Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections.
Built by Henry L. Vander Horst for the Kalamazoo Michigan Theatre Corporation. Originally slated to be called the Mayfair, the name was changed to Uptown in April 1938 when construction began. Theater building was 42 feet wide by 160 feet deep. Opened 24 August 1938.
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 March, 2019.
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
Articles
“Schram lets contract for new theatre”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 20 April 1938, p.1
“Uptown Theatre expects to open doors August 24”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 31 July 1938, p.7
Local History Room Files
Subject File: Theater