Majestic Theater

An article about the Majestic’s first operator, W. S. McLaren, in the March 12, 1918, issue of Michigan Film Review quoted him as saying that he had opened the Majestic Theatre in the old Athenaeum building on January 21, 1916. McLaren also operated a 250-seat house in Jackson called the Colonial, which he had opened in January, 1915. Prior to that, he had operated a movie house called the Sylvan Theatre in the former opera house in his home town of Chelsea, Michigan.

Here is some information that I found elsewhere on the web. These are the particulars of the Antheneum/Majestic Theatre, http://michiganoperahouses.com/?p=113

According to this page, the Antheneum/Majestic Theatre enjoyed these claims to fame: “During the mid-1920s Jackson Theater-goers enjoyed what was then a record breaking run, 92 consecutive weeks of dramatic stock – a new play being presented each week – at the Majestic Theater” (Frank 1964). The Great Central Mid-Winter Circus with Dan Rice appeared at the Athenaeum on January 16 thru 18, 1899 (Frank 1974).

@Chuck 1231, here is another list of the theaters which exist(ed) in Jackson. Bel Air Drive-In Theatre 2603 W Michigan Ave [1905-1908] Bijou Theatre 130 W Michigan Ave [1912-?] Bon Ton Theatre 240 E Michigan Ave [1916-1973] William L Pereira Capitol Theatre 130 W Michigan Ave AKA: Orpheum [1913-?] Colonial Theatre, 1630 E Michigan Ave, [1909-1917] Crown Theatre, W Michigan Ave[1913-1962] Family Theatre, Michigan Ave & Mechanic St, Ideal Theatre, 228 E Main St, Goodrich Quality Theaters Jackson 10, 1501 N Wisner St, [1948-?] Jackson Drive-In Theatre, 4400 Ann Arbor Rd, [1898-1954] Majestic Theatre (AKA: Athenaeum (above)), 234 S Mechanic St, Michigan Theatre, 124 N Mechanic St, [1970- ] Carmike Cinemas, Plaza Cinemas, 1700 N Wisner St, [1908-?] Regent Theatre(Formerly Hibbard Livery Stables, then Hibbard Opera House AKA: Bijou), 201-07 Francis St, [1911-1951] Rex Theatre (AKA: Kuhl) 172 W Michigan Ave, Rialto Theatre 1708 Francis St, [1908-1909] Star Theatre, 107 W Main St, Strand Theatre, 245 E Michigan Ave,[1906-?]Subway Theatre, 210 E Main St, Temple Theatre, Michigan Ave Victor Theatre, Michigan Ave, Westwood Cinemas, 1794 W Michigan Ave, Wonderland Theatre (AKA: Assembly Hall Theatre, 124 E Cortland St, [1912-?]

I am presently working on a book on Jackson’s theaters and will have more information on many of these shortly. (If okay with this site’s administrators, I would like to add some of this information to the site.)

If you read the thread correctly, the auditorium of this theater was demolished. The front of the original building still stands.

Here is an item about theaters in Jackson, including the Majestic, from the November 24, 1917, issue of Motography:

“Two of the most interesting spots in Jackson, Michigan, are the Majestic and Colonial theaters. These are owned and operated by the Majestic-Colonial Theater Company, Inc., of which W. S. McClaren is manager. The Majestic, advertised as ‘The Theater Beautiful,’ plays Vitagraph, Selznick, Metro, World and K. E. S. E. pictures and the best road attractions. It was formerly a $30,000 legitimate house but it took to pictures at 10, 15 and 25 cents with Mr. McClaren’s management to start the people that way. Mr. McClaren uses a splendid orchestra of ten pieces and an organ at the Majestic and girl ushers, with girls also on the doors. The Colonial, called ‘The Pride of the East Side,’ was the first suburban house of the city, built three years ago. It seats 300 and is doing good business.”