Kent Theatre
322 Monroe Avenue NW,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503
322 Monroe Avenue NW,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: W.S. Butterfield Theaters Inc.
Previous Names: Orpheum Theatre, New Kent Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Orpheum Theatre was opened on November 12, 1911. It suffered damage from a fire on December 31, 1922. The Orpheum Theatre was reopened in 1923. It was taken over by W.S. Butterfield Theaters Inc. and following a remodel it reopened on August 24, 1929 as the renamed New Kent Theatre with Richard Barthelmess in “Drag”, with seating given at 1,081.
The Kent Theatre closed on July 4, 1954 with Grant Taylor in “The Fighting Rats of Tobruk” & John Ireland in “The Bushwhackers” (aka “The Rebel”). It was remodeled into a church in 1956 which closed in 1966. It was demolished in April 1967. The area where the theatre once stood is where the Devos Place Convention and Performance Center is located.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Prior to being the Kent Theatre, the house at 322 Monroe Avenue was called the Orpheum. It was listed under that name in the 1922 Grand Rapids City Directory.
The Orpheum is also listed at this location in the 1916 Grand Rapids City Directory.
Photos of fans waiting in line to see Ralph DePalma at the Orpheum at the GR Public Museum link:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sbv7MmFJOrA/TZ84alj0lYI/AAAAAAAAMIQ/ww9Jx8PyYf4/s530/0000666.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vknmbwobH1Q/TZ84b6ygmkI/AAAAAAAAMIY/e-PvSdSLLXk/s545/0000667.jpg
Opened as the Orpheum “The People’s Theater” on November 12th, 1911. Grand opening ad posted.
Closed as Orpheum on December 31st, 1922, after a fire.
and reopened later in 1923.
Reopened as Kent on August 24th, 1924. Another ad posted.
Newspaper listings for the Kent ended in 1952.
Butterfield Theatre Circuit took on the Orpheum on July 3, 1929. It wired the venue to remain viable and opened on its new Kent Theatre moniker on August 29, 1929. Butterfield moved the office space from the Orpheum/Kent to the Isis so he could create improved restrooms and a mezzanine.
The Kent was closed permanently after the expiry of a 25-year lease on July 4, 1954 with “The Fighting Rats of Tobruk” and “The Bushwhackers.” The building was approved for a remodel in 1956 becoming a house of worship. That arrangement lasts exactly ten years indicating the end of another lease and the building was likely demolished.
The building was acquired in the City of Grand Rapids' urban renewal project and demolished in April 1967.