Wakefield Theatre - Wakefield MI 

Address: 673 Sunday Lake St
City: Wakefield
State: MI
Zip: 49968
County: Gogebic
Open:
Capacity: 1200
Owner History:
Theater Type: Small Town Movie Palace
Number of visits to this page: 3453
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:

This theater was housed in the historic Wakefield Memorial Building which has been demolished. The address is approximate as the lot is now empty. Follow the Cinema Treasures link for the complete story on this location. There is also a YouTube video HERE of the partially demolished building that shows the auditorium.

Click the following links for locations of interest nearby:
Info Updates:
4/17/2021 - Cinema Treasures

To honor the youth who were summoned to World War I in early-1917, the City of Wakefield, Michigan unanimously decided to do something after the war that ‘would keep fresh in the minds of the younger generations and others to follow the deeds of valor on the battlefields of France’. It was agreed that some kind of lasting memorial should be established to honor those sacrifices that were made in order for democracy and free government to survive on this earth. The people of Wakefield considered that the beautiful tribute to those who served during the Great War was typical of the spirit of patriotism and progress that the town possessed in abundance at that time.

It was decided that a memorial building was the best tribute, but not just any building voiced the community - it was to be ‘the best that could be built.’

In 1924, the 52,000 sq. ft. Wakefield Memorial Building was completed in a town with a population was 4,152. With a price tag of $400,000.00, construction of the building entailed an enormous amount of effort and sacrifice by the citizens of Wakefield. What Wakefield lacked in size it more than compensated for in determination and ambition. Like other towns at that time, Wakefield gave until it hurt during the war and now that it was over, they continued to do so. It was a common saying in Wakefield at that time that perhaps it was ‘the smallest city in the United States with the largest memorial building.’

The Memorial Building housed a large theater with balcony.

 Photos:11
Wakefield Theatre - Screen Cap From Youtube
Screen Cap From Youtube
Wakefield Theatre - Old Memorial Building
Old Memorial Building
Wakefield Theatre - Wakefield Memorial Building That Housed Theater
Wakefield Memorial Building That Housed Theater
Wakefield Theatre - Bid For New Theater In Town Jul 3 1937
Bid For New Theater In Town Jul 3 1937
Wakefield Theatre - New Equipment And Name Change Oct 8 1932
New Equipment And Name Change Oct 8 1932
Wakefield Theatre - New Equipment Oct 15 1932
New Equipment Oct 15 1932
Wakefield Theatre - New Operator Announced Jul 17 1937
New Operator Announced Jul 17 1937
Wakefield Theatre - Re-Opening Article April 17 1975
Re-Opening Article April 17 1975
Wakefield Theatre - 13 May 1961 Ad
13 May 1961 Ad
Wakefield Theatre - Feb 1965 Ad - Probably A Different Theater
Feb 1965 Ad - Probably A Different Theater
Wakefield Theatre - Jan 13 1950 Rental Of Theater Up For Bid
Jan 13 1950 Rental Of Theater Up For Bid
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