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Civic Center in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
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The First Theater in Michigan

 
 
The First Theater in Michigan Marker image. Click for full size.
J. J. Prats Collection, Photographer Unknown, December 13, 1935
1. The First Theater in Michigan Marker
Original newspaper or wire photo. Whiteout was carefully brushed around the edge of the tablet so the background could be quickly cut out with a razor in composing.
Inscription. This tablet marks the site of the first theatre in Michigan.

In the top story of a government warehouse on this site, in the year 1819, was located Michigan’s first theatre. Amateur performances were given by officers stationed at Fort Shelby for their families and other civilians. In 1826 the first Thespian Society was organized.

Presented to the City of Detroit in the month of September, 1926.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1926.
 
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 42° 19.457′ N, 83° 3.178′ W. Marker was in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It was in Civic Center. It was on the foot of Wayne Street near present-day Steve Yzerman Drive. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Detroit MI 48226, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Michigan. It was also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Fort Street Presbyterian Church (approx. Ό mile away); The Detroit Free Press (approx. 0.3 miles away); Detroit Free Press (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Detroit News (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Pontchartrain (approx. 0.3 miles away); James A. Bailey
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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Shelby Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Detroit Club (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.
 
More about this marker. Wayne Street no longer ends at the Detroit River due to new construction so the exact location can no longer be ascertained.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 743 times since then and 29 times this year. Photo   1. submitted on April 20, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
 
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
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Jun. 24, 2026