Saying Goodbye to the Detroit Theater: Documenting the Structure in its Final Days

These photos were taken over two sessions. The first when I was able to get in with the Lakewood Historical Society and the second during a day where seats, movie posters and other items in the theater where for sale. On the second day we removed some of the burlap wall coverings and found some nice plaster decorations on the wall.

(click photo to enlarge)

  • The right/western theater lit only by the exit sign
  • The right/western theater lit only by the exit sign
  • The right/western theater lit only by the exit sign
  • The right/western theater lit only by the exit sign
  • Left/eastern theater
  • Left/eastern theater
  • Left/eastern theater
  • Left/eastern theater
  • Left/eastern theater
  • Left/eastern theater
  • Left/eastern theater
  • Decorative adornments around the stage
  • Decorative adornments around the stage
  • Decorative adornments around the stage
  • Decorative adornments around the stage
  • Decorative adornments around the stage
  • Decorative adornments around the stage
  • Only the first few rows were still the original 1924 seats. If you were one of the lucky few, you may have gotten to take some of these home.
  • Only the first few rows were still the original 1924 seats. If you were one of the lucky few, you may have gotten to take some of these home.
  • Only the first few rows were still the original 1924 seats. If you were one of the lucky few, you may have gotten to take some of these home.
  • The back stage area
  • The back stage area
  • The back stage area
  • The back stage area
  • The stage
  • Curtains still hang above the stage
  • Lid to an old lamp box found above the back stage area, where some stage lights were probably originally erected
  • Huge squirrel cage blower from a long time not used heating and cooling system.
  • Arches above the back stage area that used to house stage lighting, but seem to have been transformed for heating cooling work
  • Arches above the back stage area that used to house stage lighting, but seem to have been transformed for heating cooling work
  • The lobby
  • An ominous indication of the future of the theater
  • The eastern hallway
  • The western hallway
  • The projection room
  • The projection room
  • One of the projectors
  • Front end of one of the projectors
  • Projector of the east theater
  • View of the theater from the projector
  • View of the theater from the projection room
  • View of the theater from the projection room
  • Cutting table with previews still on it.
  • Cutting table with previews still on it.
  • Untouched calender
  • Something connected to the projector
  • The Detroit marquee viewed out the apartment windows
  • The Detroit marquee viewed out the apartment windows
  • The Detroit marquee viewed out the apartment windows
  • The Detroit marquee viewed out the apartment windows
  • The Detroit marquee viewed out the apartment windows
  • The Detroit marquee viewed out the apartment windows
  • The Detroit marquee viewed out the apartment windows
  • The Detroit marquee viewed out the apartment windows
  • Hallway between all the apartments upstairs, completely lined with marble.
  • Hallway between all the apartments upstairs, completely lined with marble.
  • Hallway between all the apartments upstairs, completely lined with marble.
  • The stairwell leading from the street to all the apartments upstairs, completely lined with marble.
  • An antique love seat in one of the apartments upstairs. Sure to make it into a dumpster.
  • The sign above the door which used to tell you what was coming soon, or currently playing, empty.
  • The original ticket booth
  • The original ticket booth
  • The original ticket booth
  • The right/western theater lit now by the exit sign and row lights
  • More decorative adornments around the stage, in the western theater
  • More decorative adornments around the stage, in the western theater
  • One of the images painted in the entrance to the theaters.
  • One of the images painted in the entrance to the theaters.
  • Decorative damask patterned fabric that was covered up by burlap. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Decorative damask patterned fabric that was covered up by burlap. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Decorative damask patterned fabric that was covered up by burlap. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Plaster adornments above the stage, once hidden by burlap. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Decorative damask patterned fabric that was covered up by burlap. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Decorative damask patterned fabric that was covered up by burlap. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Plaster adornments around the stage, once hidden by burlap, which was behind the movie screen. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Plaster adornments around the stage, once hidden by burlap, which was behind the movie screen. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Plaster adornments around the stage, once hidden by burlap, which was behind the movie screen. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Plaster adornments around the stage, once hidden by burlap, which was behind the movie screen. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Plaster adornments around the stage, once hidden by burlap, which was behind the movie screen. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Curtains still hang above the stage. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Curtains still hang above the stage. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Electrical box for the stage lighting. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Signatures and notes written on the door of the electrical box for the stage lighting. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • The original carpet, hidden under some theater seat parts behind the movie screen. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • The original carpet, hidden under some theater seat parts behind the movie screen. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • The front of the stage with a long line for individual bulbs to light the stage. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Plaster adornments around the stage, once hidden by burlap, which was behind the movie screen. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • One of the pillars in the theater. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • One of the pillars in the theater. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • One of the pillars in the theater. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Detail at the top of one of the pillars in the theater. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Eastern theater. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • The edge of the stage and the plaster adornments that go around it. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Many parts left from many seats, all to be thrown away. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • Plaster adornments around and to the side of the stage. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
  • The eastern theater after the removal of some of the burlap. Taken on the salvage day (2/25/2012), when you could buy stuff from the theater.
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