Kent Theatre
322 Monroe Avenue NW,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503
322 Monroe Avenue NW,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503
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The building was acquired in the City of Grand Rapids' urban renewal project and demolished in April 1967.
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.
Newspaper listings for the Kent ended in 1952.
Reopened as Kent on August 24th, 1924. Another ad posted.
and reopened later in 1923.
Closed as Orpheum on December 31st, 1922, after a fire.
Opened as the Orpheum “The People’s Theater” on November 12th, 1911. Grand opening ad posted.
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
The Orpheum is also listed at this location in the 1916 Grand Rapids City Directory.
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.