I think the American was likely an uncredited John Eberson collaboration. The arrangement of the facade is very similar to other early Eberson designs including the Vic and Crown in Chicago. The Crown was built for William Wieboldt in 1909. The contractor for the American was R.C. Wieboldt, his son.
More on this theater here: https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/arts-entertainment/academy-of-music/
https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/arts-entertainment/regent-theatre/
This theater was remodeled in 1919 as the Regent to plans by John Eberson, per American Contractor, July 26, 1919
Interestingly, the theatre was designed by John Eberson in association with C.W. and George D. Rapp and remodeled by C. Harold Crane. A triple play of big names.
American Contractor of July 8, 1916 describes a 600 seat theater to be built at corner of Indiana and Center Streets by John Eberson with Fugard & Knapp
I think this was the same project as the earlier version and was an early John Eberson design. The June 4, 1910 American Contractor describes, “Theater (seating cap. 200): $45,000. 6th & Monmouth sts., Newport, KY. Architect John Eberson, 303 Rentschler bldg., Hamilton. Owner John J. Ryan, Cincinnati, O. Plans nearing completion: architect will soon be ready for bids. Brick, Bedford stone trimming, composition roof, metal skylight, galv. iron cornice, struct. iron, hardwood finish, cement floors, marble, mosaic & tile, electric fixtures, lavatories, water closets.”
This description seems to fully match the photograph above. Then in the July 2 issue, the project is described under C.C. & E.A. Weber, (and in the July 30 issue, the $10,000 figure is corrected back to $45,000). I suspect what happened here is that Eberson did not have full licensing at this time and did his designing through associate architects who executed his plans. He could also have worked on other Weber projects, like a 1100 seat theater planned for Cincinnati at the same time.
The 1910 Majestic WAS designed by Eberson. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Industrial_Development_and_Manufacturers/Vmg9AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=eberson
Eberson worked with associate architects and often wasn’t named in early projects; this article shows that he worked with Mauran, Russell & Garden on this design. The design is typical of Eberson’s work in this period, as well.
The Crown was originally built for William Wieboldt, whose Lion Department Store was adjacent. It was designed by John Eberson - the giant faces on the facade were a signature of his early work.
https://ia800909.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?id=motionpicturenew222unse&itemPath=%2F14%2Fitems%2Fmotionpicturenew222unse&server=ia800909.us.archive.org&page=leaf0710 Remodeled by John Eberson in 1920
https://ia800909.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?id=motionpicturenew222unse&itemPath=%2F14%2Fitems%2Fmotionpicturenew222unse&server=ia800909.us.archive.org&page=leaf0710 Remodeled by John Eberson in 1920
Interior photo: https://archive.org/details/exhibitorsherald16exhi_0/page/n909/mode/2up?view=theater
It was not immediately demolished, as it can be seen in this photo: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/996/photos/98994
Architect was Sidney Lovell. Borgolte was the supervising architect, not design architect. Promoter George H. Johnston. Seated 1331.
The Jefferson Theatre was built in 1906 by opera house promoter George H. Johnston. John Eberson may have still been working with him at this time.
Original architect was George H. Johnston. John Eberson was learning the ropes with him at the time.
Architect was George H. Johnston. This was one of the first projects John Eberson was involved in, as a promoter.
19 Jun 1900, Tue The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois) Newspapers.com
That’s the story at least, but other earlier articles are turning up.
19 Jun 1900, Tue The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois) Newspapers.com
It was at this theatre that John Eberson began working with George Johnston, beginning his career.
One of the earliest John Eberson theaters with Johnson (or Johnston?) Realty. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83776060/
It should also be noted that the American opened under Jones, Linick, & Shaefer with a vaudeville policy
I think the American was likely an uncredited John Eberson collaboration. The arrangement of the facade is very similar to other early Eberson designs including the Vic and Crown in Chicago. The Crown was built for William Wieboldt in 1909. The contractor for the American was R.C. Wieboldt, his son.
More on this theater here: https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/arts-entertainment/academy-of-music/ https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/arts-entertainment/regent-theatre/
This theater was remodeled in 1919 as the Regent to plans by John Eberson, per American Contractor, July 26, 1919
American Contractor July 29 1915 gives the architect as John Eberson
Interestingly, the theatre was designed by John Eberson in association with C.W. and George D. Rapp and remodeled by C. Harold Crane. A triple play of big names.
American Contractor of July 8, 1916 describes a 600 seat theater to be built at corner of Indiana and Center Streets by John Eberson with Fugard & Knapp
Remodel by John Eberson, source American Contractor May 17, 1913
I think this was the same project as the earlier version and was an early John Eberson design. The June 4, 1910 American Contractor describes, “Theater (seating cap. 200): $45,000. 6th & Monmouth sts., Newport, KY. Architect John Eberson, 303 Rentschler bldg., Hamilton. Owner John J. Ryan, Cincinnati, O. Plans nearing completion: architect will soon be ready for bids. Brick, Bedford stone trimming, composition roof, metal skylight, galv. iron cornice, struct. iron, hardwood finish, cement floors, marble, mosaic & tile, electric fixtures, lavatories, water closets.”
This description seems to fully match the photograph above. Then in the July 2 issue, the project is described under C.C. & E.A. Weber, (and in the July 30 issue, the $10,000 figure is corrected back to $45,000). I suspect what happened here is that Eberson did not have full licensing at this time and did his designing through associate architects who executed his plans. He could also have worked on other Weber projects, like a 1100 seat theater planned for Cincinnati at the same time.
The 1910 Majestic WAS designed by Eberson. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Industrial_Development_and_Manufacturers/Vmg9AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=eberson
Eberson worked with associate architects and often wasn’t named in early projects; this article shows that he worked with Mauran, Russell & Garden on this design. The design is typical of Eberson’s work in this period, as well.
The Crown was originally built for William Wieboldt, whose Lion Department Store was adjacent. It was designed by John Eberson - the giant faces on the facade were a signature of his early work.
https://ia800909.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?id=motionpicturenew222unse&itemPath=%2F14%2Fitems%2Fmotionpicturenew222unse&server=ia800909.us.archive.org&page=leaf0710 Remodeled by John Eberson in 1920
https://ia800909.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?id=motionpicturenew222unse&itemPath=%2F14%2Fitems%2Fmotionpicturenew222unse&server=ia800909.us.archive.org&page=leaf0710 Remodeled by John Eberson in 1920
The description really undersells this theater. http://archive.org/details/motionpicturenew212unse/page/n1603/mode/2up?view=theater
I wonder what the auditorium space is used for now, it’s clearly all there but doesn’t appear to be used for the restaurant.