Garden Theatre
512 Franklin Street,
Michigan City,
IN
46360
512 Franklin Street,
Michigan City,
IN
46360
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Grand Opera House
Nearby Theaters
Opened as the Grand Opera House in 1906, later named the Orpheum Theatre and finally the Garden Theatre. It seated 500 and closed in 1921.
The building was demolished in the 1970’s.
Contributed by
Chris1982
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Here is a 1909 postcard photo of the Grand Opera House in Michigan City, from the Indiana Digital Memory Collections.
Street view is set a bit too far south and facing the wrong side of the street. The Opera House was adjacent to the alley on the site now occupied by the two-story concrete building with the continuous band of dark windows on the second floor.
Demolished in the 1970s.
The Garden Theatre came to the end of its career in 1921, not long after being acquired by the Wallerstein brothers. Two trade journal items noted the events. The March 5, 1921 Moving Picture World had this somewhat belated item headed “$100,000 Sale:”
“Jacob Wallerstein, of Michigan City, and Abe Wallerstein, of Laporte, his brother, have bought the Garden Theatre Building at Michigan City from the Central States Theatre Company, of Chicago, for the reported sum of $100,000. Its seating capacity will be increased from 1,400 to 1,800. The Wallersteins now own every theatre in Michigan City.”
The March 26 issue of the same publication brought this news, headed “Are Rebuilding Theatre:”
“Wallenstein Brothers are reconstructing their theatre, formerly known as the Garden, in Michigan City, Ind., which burned down about a month ago. Plans for a fine 1,500-seat house, thoroughly modern and attractive, are being carried out. The building is of concrete and steel. A beautiful balcony and mezzanine, and comfortable retiring rooms are provided for, and the balcony is equipped with a tier of smoking boxes and family loges.”
The fire that destroyed the Garden Theatre took place on February 4, 1921. The replacement house was of course the Tivoli Theatre, opened in 1923, closed in 1972 and demolished in 1973.