Zeeland Theater - Zeeland MI

Address: E Main Ave
City: Zeeland
State: MI
Zip: 49464
County: Ottawa
Open:
Capacity:
Owner History:
Theater Type: Neighborhood House
Number of visits to this page: 1884
Disclaimer:

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General Information:

This entry is more of a placeholder than anything else. Or, it could establish there was no movie theater in Zeeland. There is ONE listing within all of the normal sources I would check, the Michigan Gazetteer, Motion Picture Yearbook, Mike Rivest Archives, Cinema Treasures, newspaper archives, historic photos and postcards.

That would be the "Community" from the 1955 Motion Picture Yearbook. That yearbook is not 100% accurate, so it may refer to a local playhouse (as in live action plays) which would still be of interest. Those are commonly known as "Community Theaters". Looking at old photos and postcards, there seems to be some possibilities. I got excited when I saw the Bon Ton sign on one of them before realizing that was an old retail chain. The vertical marquee does resemble a theater.

The old newspapers mention the LACK OF a theater in 1916, noting it was unusual for a town that size to *not* have a theater. That is true as even tiny enclaves like Tekonsha had at least a basic theater or nickelodeon. There was mention of the mayor encouraging the construction of one in 1916, even issuing a permit to do so. That was later rescinded however. So, did Zeeland ever have a proper motion picture house? I don't know. If it did and I find evidence of it, I will post it here. I would assume it would have been on E Main so I am using that for now.

Info Updates:
No Updates Found
 Photos:10
Zeeland Theater - Vintage Postcard
Vintage Postcard
Zeeland Theater - Vintage Postcard
Vintage Postcard
Zeeland Theater - Vintage Postcard
Vintage Postcard
Zeeland Theater - Vintage Postcard
Vintage Postcard
Zeeland Theater - Vintage Postcard
Vintage Postcard
Zeeland Theater - 1955 Motion Picture Yearbook
1955 Motion Picture Yearbook
Zeeland Theater - 1949 Michigan Gazetteer - No Mention Of A Theater
1949 Michigan Gazetteer - No Mention Of A Theater
Zeeland Theater - Dec 1916 Mayor Denies Permit
Dec 1916 Mayor Denies Permit
Zeeland Theater - Dec 1916 Mayor Wants Theater
Dec 1916 Mayor Wants Theater
Zeeland Theater - Dec 1916 Zeeland Largest Town Without Theater
Dec 1916 Zeeland Largest Town Without Theater
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