Whitney Theater

The building was constructed in 1871, and contained the Milner (later Earle) Hotel. Its designer was Herman Pipp. The Theatre could seat over 1,500 in its auditorium, which contained two balconies and 35 boxes. Originally a live theatre, in 1906 it was renamed Whitney Theater following construction of two more floors to the building.

The decor was Neo-Renaissance, complete with imported French chandeliers and Italian marble floors, one of the most plush theatres in the state in the late 19th century, outside Detroit.

For much of its existence, the Whitney Theater was a legitimate house, with actors such as Edwin Booth, John and Ethel Barrymore, Helen Hayes and Alfred Lunt appearing on its stage.

Although it showed its first movie in 1914, the Whitney Theater didn’t switch to a movies-only program until May 28, 1933 with Carol Lombard in “Virtue”. It was run by L.C. Mull, who also operated Ann Arbor’s Majestic Theatre. In 1936, the Whitney Theater was acquired by the Butterfield Theaters chain, which continued to run the theater until it closed in 1952.

Three years later, it was demolished, along with the adjacent Earle Hotel. Butterfield Theaters made plans to construct a new 1,500-1,800 seat theater on the site, but instead ultimately decided to build their theater, the Campus Theatre, elsewhere in Ann Arbor.

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