Wyandotte Theater, Wyandotte, 1938

Construction of the 1,700 seat Wyandotte Theater was completed in 1938 at a cost of $200,000. Associated Theaters, Inc. owned and operated this theater, as well as other in Highland Park, Trenton, Flint, and Three Rivers.

Architects Hyde & Williams of Detroit were asked to design an “ultra-modern” theater that also housed shops and offices. An Annex was added in the 1940’s to accommodate the overflow crowds from the Main Auditorium, making this the first two-screen theater in the country.

The same shows ran on both screens until 1958 when separate films began to be shown in each theater. A modernization and rehabilitation campaign occurred in 1961 that thoroughly altered the appearance of the theater and its marquee – but brought with it new innovations, such as the first fluorescent light marquee in the country.

The Art Deco enameled panels are still visible beneath a second layer of surface material that was added to the façade. Porthole windows originally ran across the top, and these too are obscured beneath the material covering the façade. The use of striped multi-color bricks on the side is another distinctive Art Deco detail.

A second attempt at renovation was made in 2000, though these efforts ultimately failed. The most desirable outcome would be to restore the exterior to as close to its original appearance as possible, and retrofitting the interior to contemporary needs while maintaining as much of the historic character of the remaining interior as possible. Such a project would greatly enhance Wyandotte’s reputation as a center for the arts, and add to a growing entertainment and restaurant scene there.

Photo Credit: Wyandotte Historical Society

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