Howland Opera House - Pontiac MI

Address: 22-24 W Pike St
City: Pontiac
State: MI
Zip: 48342
County: Oakland
Open: 1905
Capacity: 2600
Owner History: Kleist Family
Theater Type: N/A
Number of visits to this page: 20814
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

AKA: Rialto Theatre - Was Butterfield House

The Howland Opera House was opened on March 25, 1905, and was reputed to be state-of-the-art with "new type slanting floors" and an 800-pound red asbestos curtain. It cost $40,000 and seated 1100. Will Rogers played there among other celebrities. In the 1920s it became the Rialto Movie Theatre, with a seating capacity of 2600. It was torn down in 1952.

Click the following links for locations of interest nearby:
Info Updates:
8/29/2009 - Steve
I'm pretty sure this building was still standing in 1975. There was one low building between the theater and the Hancock Iron Works building at 52 W. Pike. All the windows were closed up with cement blocks, painted white, and someone had tried to run a disco there. Both the low building and the theater were owned by the same man.
9/12/2004 - J. Barnfather
The Rialto (aka Howland) had 2 wrap-around (horseshoe shaped) balconies. Many years, prior to destruction, it was used as a fur storage facility. It was adjacent to Pontiacs renowned Pike Street Restaurant.
 Photos:3
Howland Opera House - Old Pic
Old Pic
Howland Opera House - Old Pic
Old Pic
Howland Opera House - 1910 From Paul Petoskey
1910 From Paul Petoskey
WaterWinterWonderland.com © 2024 Over 70,810,874 Served