Michigan Theatre
124 N. Mechanic Street,
Jackson,
MI
49201
124 N. Mechanic Street,
Jackson,
MI
49201
7 people
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Opened on April 30th, 1930 (W. S. Butterfield’s birthday). Grand opening ad posted.
My Grandfather, Wirt S. McLaren opened the Michigan Theatre on April 30, 1930, where he was the manager for several years. I have the original newspaper clippings from that day. He also owned the Capitol Theatre in Jackson, MI as well as many other theatres in and around the Jackson area.
The photos look great! Very ornate auditorium which looks like it’s been restored to the original color scheme
View link
This link will take you to photos of the Michigan Theatre.
Love this theatre’s marquees!
Lost: Another great photo of a great theatre in Michigan!
Once again, this theatre is a wonderful example of a small town theatre that has been saved, preserved and cherished as this cinema is truly a ‘treasure’. I hope the citizens of Jackson MI realize this fact!
Well, I’m honored that you posted them “just for me”. Thank you kind friend and if I ever get back to the State of MI I will most definitely check out this hometown ‘cinema treasure’!
Lost Memory: Once again, thank you for the Michigan Theater photos. This theatre is absolutely beautiful and I regret not seeing this theatre, in person, when I was a student at Adrian College in nearby Adrian, MI.
ERD: Thanks for agreeing with me and hopefully in the near future we’ll see some interior photos. I know that CT member, Lost Memory has posted numerous theatre photos and maybe LM will be able to discover some photos!
I agree with Patsy, it would be nice to see some interior photographs of the auditorium and lobby. It is wonderful to know that the Michigan theatre is being restored with such devotion.
Congratulations to the folks of Jackson MI for realizing the importance of preserving their hometown theatre, the MICHIGAN!
Chuck: Great color photo. This theatre has a very narrow facade! An interior photo would be interesting to view and the marquees are beautiful…they look to be recently restored.
The Michigan Theater in Jackson was designed by Maurice Finkel as was the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor.
If you have never been here, GO. One of the best secrets in Jackson. I saw Lord of the Rings there, its worth the wait to see it in such a fantastic place.
The Michigan Theatre in Jackson MI was originally operated by W.S. Butterfield Theatres.
NOT TRUE: including restoring the original colors to the auditorium and lobby, regilding TRUE: The restoration projects include: Re-installation and electric work on the vertical “Michigan” sign; rebuilding the deteriorating back stage wall (Pearl Street facade); completion of roof repairs,$75,000 New Marquee, a sample decorative interior restoration;many plumbing & heating repairs, and improvements to the stage. Our Terra Cotta Facade has been restored, we have just received a 60/40 matching grant from the State Historic Preservation Office to restore the cupola ($110,000 total est. project cost).Please include us on “rentals, second run movies, movie series-college & kids,” -there’s not much we don’t do! The theatre has had plaster damaged caused in the 80’s by no electricity/heat for two years. There is a lot of interior work left to do to bring it back to its former glory-New Plumbing, HVAC, Seats, Paint, Plaster, Carpet, & Electrical. Please update info. and add our website: www.michigantheatre.org I love this site! Keep up the good work!! Susan