Strand Theatre
145 W. Chicago Boulevard,
Tecumseh,
MI
49286
145 W. Chicago Boulevard,
Tecumseh,
MI
49286
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I just found this site and am excited to see the Strand listed and discussed. I have fond memories of the Strand in Tecumseh. I grew up there and remember seeing Ben-Hur first run when I was about five with my older brother. The last movie I saw there was The Flim Flam Man in 1967. Sadly, it was demolished shortly after. I’ll have to check but I think that was the year it was torn down but might have been 1968. I would walk by the site during my school lunch hour during the demolition period and one day I found a few tickets from a ticket roll amongst the rubble in the ticket booth area. I still have those today and are a cherished piece of local/movie history for me. Thinking back, it’s amazing i was able to get that close.
I hope to find more info about the Opera House days and will report back. I do recall hearing that during the vaudeville days, many acts came through little Tecumseh and performed there, including the Marx Brothers. When I was a kid I’d heard that there was still a Marx Bros. poster on a wall backstage from that era but don’t recall that ever confirming that. I remember looking for it during the demolition but, of course, I had limited access.
At the very least, we the posters get to post what the latest status of a theater is, which is what I go by. And now we know what the story is with Tecumseh’s Strand, though I was hoping to hear that it was still standing, and better still, that it was still a theater. What’s sad in this case is that nobody remembers it so that good lessons learned from it can be carried over to theaters anew. I myself have never been to a theater that I have no memories of, unlike how it is with other types of businesses. For how do you forget a theater, given the much more intimate nature of it then say a supermarket, or drugstore, or even a motel for that matter?
But here’s a theater that, so far, at least, nobody remembers. And was it really that bad? Or just…well, what else could it be? But even if it was a terrible theater I’d still like to know, well why was it a terrible theater as an important thing to know in going forward.
In any event, thanks Lost Memory for letting us know what its current status is!
Lost: Yeah, “by flipping a coin”! LOL!
I agree with you Patsy. I’m sure that many of the “closed” theaters listed here are actually demolished. I prefer that someone from the area give that information. Relying on Google searches or aerial photos of a particular location are usually not reliable because they aren’t up to date. You could probably get the same accuracy by flipping a coin.
Lost: Unfortunately, I think there are so many CT theatres listed as closed that should actually be listed as demolished!
I received a reply. I want to thank Paula Holtz for the following information:
“Unfortunately, as I understand it, the Strand, which was formerly our Opera House here in Tecumseh was torn down in the 1960s/70s. The theater was located where Martins Home Center is today at 145 W. Chicago Blvd”.
We now have an address and the status which should be changed to demolished.
Great! Look forward to hearing what you hear back!
Lost: Good idea!
Thanks for the email address TheaterBuff1. I’m going to send an email to that address. I’ll let you know if I receive a reply.
TheaterBuff1: Thanks for the information and email address. Gosh, now we’re getting posts addressed to both of us, Lost!
Patsy and Lost Memory, several years ago I remember seeing a theater at this website whose auditorium ceiling was triangular in shape, but I’ve long lost track of what theater it was, though I know it was in Australia. Probably Sydney, but don’t hold me to it. And it seems it had been designed by John Eberson, but I just went through the CT John Eberson listings and it wasn’t there. In any event, my guess is the Strand Theatre’s auditorium ceiling is (or was) quite similar. And you’re right, it does look like it had more than 400 seats. Maybe more info can be found out about it by writing to Denine Wells, who handles general questions for the Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority. Her e-mail address is .us
Thats the one Patsy. Maybe its an optical illusion but the building appears to be larger than 400 seats in the last two pictures.
I see it…it’s the roof that is triangle shaped!
Look at the last picture on that website. Its the building with the “peaked roof”.
I just viewed the photos and can’t find one showing a “triangle shaped building”.
TheaterBuff1….I’ve never been to Tecumseh so I’m not familiar with this theater. Judging from those pictures, the building appears larger than a 400 seat theater if that triangle shaped building is the auditorium. I wish that we had a specific address for this theater. It could be of help to determine if this building still stands.
Lost Memory,
Going by what that postcard photo shows, the back part of the Strand Theatre looks very interesting, for it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a theater with that triangular shape. Any idea what’s going on there exactly?
Plus I went to college nearby in Adrian MI and recall going through Tecumseh with the old boyfriend and his ‘60 Buick.
Lost: Thanks as I knew you’d lend your help to me, once again!
I honestly don’t know. The Water Winter Wonderland site has it listed as closed. Unless your familiar with the area, its difficult to find that information without a specific address which this theater doesn’t have.
Thanks for the downtown photos. Is this theatre still standing, etc.?
Sorry, no photos were ever taken of this theater. :) Click here.
Photos anyone?