The history and fate of the Michigan Theater is an irl micro-allegory for the history and fate of the USA.
(A short thread)
Detroit 1910: 98.7% White
(A short thread)
Detroit 1910: 98.7% White
Built in 1926 upon the actual birthplace of the Ford automobile to pay tribute to the man who was transforming the city, it was described in the press as “a jewel,” and “the world’s finest.”
Detroit 1920: 95.8% White
Detroit 1920: 95.8% White
The auditorium featured 10-foot crystal chandeliers that hung eight floors above the seats, and the mezzanine was open to black-tie guests only.
“It is not merely a theatre for Detroit,” John H. Kunsky, the theater’s owner, told The Detroiter in August 1926.
“It is not merely a theatre for Detroit,” John H. Kunsky, the theater’s owner, told The Detroiter in August 1926.
“It is designed to be the great showplace of the middle west.”
By the mid-1960s, the Michigan Theater was among dozens in the city to close due to dwindling profits, and though it was saved from the wrecking ball in 1967, its glory days were over.
Detroit 1970: 55.5% White 43.7% Black
Detroit 1970: 55.5% White 43.7% Black
By 1972 it had been converted into a rock venue, the Michigan Palace, featuring sex, drugs, and rock roll performed by the likes of David Bowie, The Stooges, The New York Dolls, Aerosmith, Bob Seger, Rush, Iron Butterfly, Blue Oyster Cult, and more.
"According to Palace employees, the rowdy rockers sounded the death knell for the Michigan," the Free Press wrote in July 1976. "Vandalism and damage to the structure are so great that it is more feasible to demolish it than to attempt a reconstruction.
Used up and squeezed dry for profit it was abandoned, then sold to new owners who never saw a cow they couldn't squeeze ever more profits out of.
(((Leo Cooney))), president of the Charge Card Association and owner of the, once majestic, Michigan Theater began work immediately,
(((Leo Cooney))), president of the Charge Card Association and owner of the, once majestic, Michigan Theater began work immediately,
converting it into a parking lot where he could charge people to park their cars in the world's most ornamental decayed parking garage, left to rot as a monument to what was once ours, then was given away, then exploited and milked dry by chosenites.
Detroit 1910: 98.7% White, 1.2% Black
Detroit 2010: 10.6% White, 82.7% Black
USA 1910: 88.9% White, 10.7% Black
USA 2010: 72.4% White, 12.6% Black
Detroit 2010: 10.6% White, 82.7% Black
USA 1910: 88.9% White, 10.7% Black
USA 2010: 72.4% White, 12.6% Black
