Depot Cinema - Kinross MI 

Address: 4721 W. Curtis St
City: Kinross
State: MI
Zip: 49788
County: Chippewa
Open: Late 1950's
Capacity: Estimate 100-200 given the size
Owner History: Kincheloe AFB
Theater Type: Small Town Movie Palace
Number of visits to this page: 4853
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

This theater was in use during the Kincheloe AFB era for Air Force personnel and their families. The actual location is Kinross so I have used that as the address. Kincheloe AFB opened in 1941, was decommissioned for a time but re-opened during the Cold War era. The base closed for good by 1977 so I assume the theater closed around that time.

If I had to guess I would say the theater was built during the 2nd era of the AFB given the look of it. Notably the base itself was used as a location for the Bruce Willis film "Die Hard 2". They needed footage of landing a 747 in the snow and this place was perfect for that. The base is currently the site of the Chippewa County International Airport, Kinross Correctional Facility, and the Chippewa Correctional Facility. [SooToday.com]

I never noted the address of the theater when I was there in 2003 but after zooming in on the photo I took and comparing that to recent Kinross street views, I spotted the Kinross Township Hall in the background. The building was being used as an auction house at the time I was there. I found some public records from the mid 2000's documenting requests from the auction house folks to improve the property and open up a store of some kind. There were also discussions about converting it to a bowling alley and allowing the local school to use it for musical performances.

That eventually fell through and the property was abandoned. It was for sale in 2004 for a time and was listed as a vacant theater. Apparently there were no takers because the building was demolished sometime after 2005. I have posted the 2005 aerial photo which does show the building/location. I must say I always liked this place and it was fun going up there and finding it.

Click the following links for locations of interest nearby:
Info Updates:
11/10/2022 - Sarah B
Cinema treasure page http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/67976
 Photos:14
Depot Cinema - Summer 2003 Pic
Summer 2003 Pic
Depot Cinema - Photo From Real Estate Listing In 2004
Photo From Real Estate Listing In 2004
Depot Cinema - Photo From Real Estate Listing In 2004
Photo From Real Estate Listing In 2004
Depot Cinema - Photo From Real Estate Listing In 2004
Photo From Real Estate Listing In 2004
Depot Cinema - Photo From Real Estate Listing In 2004
Photo From Real Estate Listing In 2004
Depot Cinema - 2005 Aerial Showing Location Of Theater
2005 Aerial Showing Location Of Theater
Depot Cinema - 2020 Aerial Demolished
2020 Aerial Demolished
Depot Cinema - Meeting Minutes From 1998 Discussing Theater
Meeting Minutes From 1998 Discussing Theater
Depot Cinema - 1981 News Article Discussing Impact Of Base Closing
1981 News Article Discussing Impact Of Base Closing
Depot Cinema - 2008 Town Meeting Minutes Discusses Bowling Alley For Theater
2008 Town Meeting Minutes Discusses Bowling Alley For Theater
Depot Cinema - Description Of Kinchloe Afb From 1965
Description Of Kinchloe Afb From 1965
Depot Cinema - From Geneology Trails
From Geneology Trails
Depot Cinema - Kinross Twp Meeting Minutes 2002
Kinross Twp Meeting Minutes 2002
Depot Cinema - Old Real Estate Listing From 2003-2004
Old Real Estate Listing From 2003-2004
WaterWinterWonderland.com © 2024 Over 71,004,323 Served