Downtown in Holland in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Knickerbocker Theater

86 East 8th Street

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 26, 2017

1. Knickerbocker Theater Marker

Inscription. An entertainment destination since 1911, the Knickerbocker has hosted many notable figures, including Harry Houdini and FDR. In the 1920s and 1930s the building was a venue for vaudeville performances and in later years was converted to a movie theater. Donated in 1988 to Hope College, the tradition is continued through the presentation of both live performances and film.

Erected by Holland Michigan Sesquicentennial.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 42° 47.413′ N, 86° 6.191′ W. Marker is in Holland, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It is in Downtown. It is on East 8th Street east of College Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, between the theater entrance and the marquee. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 86 East 8th Street, Holland MI 49423, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is

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in West Michigan,

specifically in Greater Grand Rapids,

and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Holland City Hall and Firehouse No. 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Ninth Street Christian Reformed Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Outpost (about 700 feet away); Lida Rogers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Van Vleck Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Herold & Kremers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hope College (approx. 0.2 miles away); Warm Friend (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holland.

Also see . . .
1. The Knickerbocker Theatre. Tragedy struck on opening day of the theater in 1911 when co-owner, Tierman Slagh, was killed while hanging the large electronic sign outside; the Knickerbocker Theatre remained closed until new management

Knickerbocker Theater image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 26, 2017

2. Knickerbocker Theater

(marker visible between entrance and marquee)

took over later that year. (Submitted on July 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Knickerbocker Theatre. The first production in the reopened theatre, Brewer’s Millions, premiered on November 3, 1911. Although the show was a success, the Knickerbocker suffered from financial troubles for nearly four years before a new owner purchased the theater in 1915. Later in 1923, businessmen Horace Morton and Harry Jones purchased the Knickerbocker Theatre. They premiered a special Christmas Eve showing of The Courtship of Miles Standish. (Submitted on July 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 551 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.