Huron Theatre

1006 Military Street,
Port Huron, MI 48060

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Butterfield Theatres, GKC Theatres

Architects: Charles Howard Crane, George Harvey

Functions: Gymnasium

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Desmond Theatre

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News About This Theater

May 14, 2010 — Please Post Today, May 14 --- "Jaws," Happy 35th

Former Desmond/Huron Theatre in Port Huron, MI

Opened as the Desmond Theatre on July 26, 1922 seating 1,350. It was designed by architect George Harvey of Port Huron, with Charles Howard Crane as associated architect. Later it was remodeled in an Art Deco style and was renamed the Huron Theatre. It was twinned on December 7, 1979. It ran until September 19, 1990 when it was bought and closed by GKC Theatres. Final movies were Denzel Washington in “Mo' Better Blues” in screen 1, and screen 2 played Richard Gere in “Pretty Woman” & Christian Slater in “Pump Up the Volume”.

It was later converted to a gym.

Contributed by Chuck Van Bibber

Recent comments (view all 14 comments)

steelbeard1 on July 5, 2012 at 2:25 pm

The former theater is now the Huron Physical Arts Center.

steelbeard1 on July 5, 2012 at 2:35 pm

The URL of the Huron Physical Arts Center is http://www.hpackids.com/

steelbeard1 on December 22, 2012 at 11:14 am

The 1940 Mickey Rooney film “Young Tom Edison” had its world premiere at the Desmond. A photo of the event as well as what the Huron looks like today can be found at http://www.classcreator.com/Port-Huron-MI-1961/class_custom3.cfm

Joe Vogel on August 18, 2014 at 10:44 am

The July 31, 1922, issue of The Film Daily reported that the finishing touches were being put on Herb Weil’s new theater at Port Huron and the house would soon open. Weil had entered the theater business in Port Huron in 1917, and by 1919 controlled all five of the town’s movie houses.

Weil was planning to build the new theater in 1919, but suffered setbacks that delayed its construction until 1922. When the Desmond opened he still controlled the Family Theatre, but the town’s leading theater, the Majestic, had come under the control of W. S. Butterfield in 1920.

Joe Vogel on August 18, 2014 at 11:21 am

This item from the April 5, 1919, issue of The Moving Picture World notes Herb Weil’s intention to build a large theater in Port Huron:

“Weil to Build $150,000 Theatre in Port Huron

“ONE of the most popular exhibitors in Michigan, among both exchange managers and exhibitors, is Herbert L. Weil, who now dominates the theatre situation in Port Huron, Mich., by controlling 100 per cent, of the houses there.

“About three years ago he got the ‘bug’ for theatricals, and his first venture was leasing the Majestic Theatre, which was then playing legitimate attractions exclusively. But it wasn’t long before he saw the big possibilities of pictures, so he changed the policy of the theatre and installed motion picture equipment, which was his start in the picture field.‘ His next step was leasing the Bijou. Later he took over the Maxine, then the Family, and just lately he took over the American, giving him 100 per cent, of the theatres in Port Huron. The Majestic seats 1,500; the Family, 800; the Maxine, 500; the Bijou, 500, and the American 500.

“Mr. Weil is now having plans prepared for a new motion picture theatre project that will cost $150,000.

“He does all of his own booking, being a weekly visitor to Detroit.”

I haven’t yet discovered what became of the Maxine, Bijou, and American Theatres.

rivest266 on September 20, 2016 at 4:12 am

July 26th, 1922 grand opening ad in the photo section

rivest266 on September 24, 2016 at 9:14 am

November 21st, 1961 grand opening ad as Huron also in the photo section.

Joe Vogel on September 24, 2016 at 12:11 pm

An item about the Desmond Theatre appeared in the November 26, 1921, issue of The American Contractor:

“Theater ("Desmond”; seat. cap. 1,270): $200,000. Military av., nr. Pine St., Port Huron. Archt. Geo. Harvey, 201 Huron st., Port Huron. Assoc. Archt. C. Howard Crane, Elmer Geo. Kiehler & Cyril E. Schley. 400 Huron bldg., Detroit. Owner Port Huron Theater Co., J. W. Fead, pres., Port Huron. Gen. contr. let to Charron & Riddell, Port Huron.“

rivest266 on September 24, 2016 at 5:20 pm

December 7th, 1979 grand opening ad as a twin also in the photo section.

50sSNIPES on August 16, 2025 at 12:55 pm

Twinned on December 7, 1979, closed on September 19, 1990 with “Mo' Better Blues” in Screen 1 and “Pretty Woman” and “Pump Up The Volume” in Screen 2.

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