Eaton Theatre

235 S. Cochran Avenue,
Charlotte, MI 48810

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Related Websites

Eaton Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Architects: R.V. Day

Functions: Movies (First Run)

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 717.543.2030

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News About This Theater

Opening Night

Located in downtown Charlotte, the Eaton Theatre opened January 7, 1931 with Eddie Cantor in “Whoopee”. It had 750 seats in its single auditorium. It was closed for a short time in 1960 and was reopened by Beechler Theatres. It was twinned in 1992.

Built during the Art Deco style era, it was totally modernized when it was twinned around 1986. It still has the large square marquee and the vertical sign.

Contributed by Chuck Van Bibber

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

RoadsideArchitecture.com
RoadsideArchitecture.com on December 10, 2011 at 12:11 am

According to this website, the theatre opened in 1931: view link

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on April 14, 2012 at 7:24 am

Given the 1931 opening, it is likely that the Eaton Theatre is the proposed house mentioned in the June 1, 1930, issue of The film Daily:

“Charlotte, Mich. — Work on the theater planned here is expected to start next month, according to R. V. Day, of St. Johns, architect.”

L_Owen2
L_Owen2 on March 16, 2017 at 9:27 pm

The Eaton Theatre opened January 7, 1931.“ Whoopee” staring Eddie Cantor was the first movie shown there. Our website is “eatontheatres.info”. It was twinned around 1986 when Rick Dedolph bought it from the Beechler family. It is currently owned by his daughter. I have been the manager for approximately 16 years. I have a copy of the newspaper from opening night hanging in our lobby. I do not recall that it ever closed. That is something I’d have to research more. We are now upgraded to digital projectors. :)

L_Owen2
L_Owen2 on March 16, 2017 at 9:38 pm

I added newspaper (front page) from opening night, to photo section.

moax429
moax429 on May 29, 2018 at 5:46 pm

And also:

The green sign that reads “Eaton” vertically above the marquee was taken down about two years ago. I asked one of the managers if it would possibly be replaced and she said no.

Shame.

L_Owen2
L_Owen2 on June 1, 2018 at 8:30 pm

I have a correction from previous post: Rick bought the theatre in 1987 and twinned it in 1992. I had that information wrong. Also, yes we are going to replace the upper marque but the roof needs replaced first. They are starting that task in a few weeks. I’m working on marque myself but it may take another year to refurbish. It was in poor shape.

L_Owen2
L_Owen2 on October 12, 2020 at 11:18 pm

Check out all the new changes.
eatontheatre.com

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