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HomeMovie TheatersWashington Theatre

Washington Theatre - Bay City MI

Address: 602 Washington St
City: Bay City
State: MI
Zip: 48708
County: Bay
Open: 1916
Capacity: 972
Owner History: Butterfield Theatres
Theater Type: Neighborhood House
Number of visits to this page: 2777
General Information:

Source: Bay Journal

In 1886, the Woods Opera House opened on this historical spot as the citys first building devoted to theater. Fire detroyed the building in 1902, In 1903 a new building opened as the Washington Theater, then in 1916 it became the Washington Strand before returning to simply the Washington Theater in 1925. In 1965, the building was demolished and this historical spot was turned into a parking lot.

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Info Updates:
1/26/2010 - Karin
Does anyone remember if Mandrake the Magician ever performed at the Washington Theater?
12/10/2008 - lyle
My father was also a projectionist at the Washington. What I remember best was the popcorn. When I went to work with my father he would send me down with a grocery sack to get popcorn. era 1958-60.
2/2/2004 - Jack R. Miller
As a native of Bay City and projectionist in various theatres there, I was acquainted with Ed Johnson who operated it until it closed and was demolished. The top night picture is exactly how it looked til it closed. Showing first run features on a split with the Butterfield Theatres in town. It was magnificent inside and out with a large balcony and box seats on each side of the main auditorium. At one time, I worked with another projectionist there while showing 3-D films which required two projectors "in sync" and 2 projectionists. The Washington did it all!
1/19/2004 - WaterWinterWonderland
The Washington was clearly a beauty, as this night photo shows. Based on these 2 pictures, it evidently underwent some architectural changes over the years. Clearly this house goes back to the late teens or the early twenties.
4/8/2003 - WaterWinterWonderland
This vaudeville theatre was opened in the early 1900s.
 Photos:6
Washington Theatre - OLD PIC
OLD PIC
Washington Theatre - OLD POST CARD
OLD POST CARD
Washington Theatre - OLD POST CARD
OLD POST CARD
Washington Theatre - OLD POST CARD
OLD POST CARD
Washington Theatre - OLD PIC FROM BAY JOURNAL
OLD PIC FROM BAY JOURNAL
Washington Theatre - OLDER PIC FROM MAY JOURNAL
OLDER PIC FROM MAY JOURNAL
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