Reaper Theatre
123 E. Front Street,
Monroe,
MI
48161
123 E. Front Street,
Monroe,
MI
48161
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The Reaper Theatre was opened by 1916. It was still open in 1927, but had closed by 1928.
By June 2019 the building was available “For Rent' as it was in use by the Lamour Printing, who were relocating.
Contributed by
Nick Sortzi
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Built by J.H. Reaper across the street from his Gem Theatre. Opened in 1914. Had a balcony which was removed when converted to retail. Photo circa 1914 uploaded.
The 1914-1915 American Motion Picture Directory lists the Gem Theatre on Front Street, plus a house on Monroe Street called the Family Theatre, and the Armory Opera House, for which no location was given, but no Reaper Theatre. Still, plans for the Reaper were underway by 1913. Here is a relevant item from the July 5, 1913 issue of Moving Picture World: “Monroe, Mich.—J. H. Reaper, 52 Humphrey Avenue, has plans under way for a two-story theater with a seating capacity for 700.”
The April 12, 1913 issue of The American Contractor had also mentioned the project, describing it as a two story and basement theater building, 40x82, for which plans were being drawn by local architect J. H. Gilmore. Finding no mentions of the Reaper in trade journals of the period, I don’t know if the completion of the house was delayed until after the AMPD went to press in 1914, or if the Directory simply overlooked it.
I’ve been unable to find out more about the architect J. H. Gilmore either, but he was active in a few other projects in the early 1910s.