Kent Theatre

322 Monroe Avenue NW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on October 1, 2024 at 11:32 pm

The building was acquired in the City of Grand Rapids' urban renewal project and demolished in April 1967.

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on September 28, 2024 at 10:50 pm

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.

rivest266
rivest266 on February 26, 2024 at 12:49 am

Newspaper listings for the Kent ended in 1952.

rivest266
rivest266 on February 25, 2024 at 12:52 am

Reopened as Kent on August 24th, 1924. Another ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on February 24, 2024 at 8:23 pm

and reopened later in 1923.

rivest266
rivest266 on February 24, 2024 at 8:19 pm

Closed as Orpheum on December 31st, 1922, after a fire.

rivest266
rivest266 on February 24, 2024 at 5:32 pm

Opened as the Orpheum “The People’s Theater” on November 12th, 1911. Grand opening ad posted.

elvelaw
elvelaw on May 8, 2012 at 4:05 am

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

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 2, 2011 at 12:31 pm

The Orpheum is also listed at this location in the 1916 Grand Rapids City Directory.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 1, 2011 at 1:43 pm

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.