Anyone who grew up in Jackson, Michigan knows, or at least has seen, the Michigan Theater downtown.

Maybe you've seen a few shows there, maybe you've been up on that stage yourself, maybe you've taken the kiddos in the summer to their dollar movie days. Whatever your memories are there, you know that place holds a whole lot more.

Get our free mobile app

A Piece of Jackson History

According to the theater's webpage on the building's history, it was built in April of 1930 and was "the last and largest theatre built in downtown Jackson."

It still has many features we have all come to know and love about older theaters, with only a few changes added over the years such as darker color schemes, replaced carpets and a new, more modern marquee.

Maitlynn Mossolle
Maitlynn Mossolle
loading...

Per the historical webpage, the original owners maintained the theatre until operations ceased in 1978. From there, the building was held by the City of Jackson and later, in August of 1993 The Michigan Theatre of Jackson Inc. took over and has been continuing to host productions, events, maintenance, etc.

Memories at the Michigan Theater

One of my first memories of this mysteriously magical place was when I was in elementary school. We had our big "spring recital" thing that all kids have to do. Ours, though, was at the Michigan Theater. There was a group of kids who were going around sharing all the ghost stories about the place and even said there was a body in one of the parts of the ceiling that if you watch when they drop the confetti, you can see it hanging up there.

Maitlynn Mossolle
Maitlynn Mossolle
loading...

Creepy, yes, though there are plenty of ghost stories and people share their paranormal encounters, and considering the age of the building, tall tales are bound to happen...doesn't mean they're true.

In the summertime my aunt would always take us with my cousins for their dollar movie days and it was a really great way to not only beat the heat and get in a cheap movie but also it was exposing kids to history and architecture.

As I get older, I go to more and more events there like the Jackson Symphony Orchestra performing the music of Harry Potter and recently, a country concert held there.

Maitlynn Mossolle
Maitlynn Mossolle
loading...

Every time I go, I feel like find something different and new to stop and marvel at and still feel like I have not seen it all (and maybe never will).

Always Appreciate Places Like This

There is such a charm about places like this. There is also something so special about getting to have "a night at the theatre" (say that in your best British accent).

Maitlynn Mossolle
Maitlynn Mossolle
loading...

Getting to spend some time at the Michigan Theater, whatever the event, is something that really adds to it all, without hindering or taking away from it.

It's fun, it's quirky, it's quintessential to the Jackson Experience.

Maitlynn Mossolle
Maitlynn Mossolle
loading...

I know the Michigan Theater is special to us and we thank everyone involved in not only keeping it as the mainstay it is, but a thank you to the people who bring new life into it.

Let's hope we can all continue to enjoy the majesty that is Jackson's Michigan Theater for decades to come.

LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don't exist anymore

The iconic (and at times silly) toys, technologies, and electronics have been usurped since their grand entrance, either by advances in technology or breakthroughs in common sense. See how many things on this list trigger childhood memories—and which ones were here and gone so fast you missed them entirely.

More From 1240 WJIM AM