(MCH) The Duke Theatre Traditional Geocache
Hidden : 8/12/2011
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

**Congrats to vante on the FTF!**



The Michigan Cinema History (MCH) caches are dedicated to the local creation, viewing,
or enjoyment of movie and cinema-related items in the local area.

This can include, and is not limited to, people, places, and things of Cinema or both past-and-present.

(This series is a companion to the Detroit Cinema History (DCH) and Ontario Cinema History (OCH) series.)
Michigan Cinema History:
The Duke Theatre
10060 8-Mile Rd - Royal Oak Township, MI
OPEN: 1947 | CLOSED: 1958 | SEATS: 1,500
-May 30, 2013 page update-


1947 view of the Duke with 'Stallion Road' and 'Her Sisters Secret' on the marquee

This oblong-shaped building stood as a giant edifice in Royal Oak Township’s meager 0.7 square miles of real-estate.  The 17,200-square-foot property, located at 10060 W. Eight Mile near Wyoming, was located in the heart of the area covered by the township’s evolving "Downtown Area" that is today beginning to have a resurgence and increase in population again.


Another view in 1947

The Duke Theatre was built as part of the Wisper and Wetsman group of theatres.  It seated around 1500 guests and was designed by Charles N. Agree in the late "streamline moderne" style.  Agree was well-known for many of his other architectural designs such as the Grande and Vanity Ballrooms, as well as countless other theatres and buildings across Metropolitan Detroit.

The building in 1997

This theater was named for jazz great Duke Ellington and though construction was planned in 1941, before America's entry into World War II, construction of the building did not actually get underway until 1946 and cost around $300,000 to complete.  The theater actually opened in early 1947, but by this time, the theatre-going public began to change their entertainment habits and the era of the television had begun. 


Mid-2000's view of the front of the building.

When the Duke was open, there were kiddie matinees, getting candy and goodies at the refreshment counter, posters of the current films as well as films that were yet-to-be released, and of course the auditorium where you'd sit with anticipation, waiting for the show to begin.

Many folks would come see a show here either on the way to, or from, the Northland Mall which opened in 1955.  There were many good times had here at the Duke, to be sure.

Spring 2010 - Facade Removed

TV and other entertainment sources led to the detriment of the Duke, which lasted here a very short time...only six years...before Wisper and Wetsman closed it in 1958 due to steeply declining attendance.

Closeup look from the bottom of the Marquee (2010)

The building would be re-purposed after the Duke closed.  It would become a skating rink, and then later a Bowling Alley called "Starlite Lanes".


The bowling alley would be the last "public use" of the building until the early 1980's when a heating-cooling supply company would purchase the building and use it for a warehouse.  After the company closed in the late 1990's, the building sat vacant and sealed-up.  It's short-lived entertainment history contained within it's now-silent walls.


Spring 2010 - Facade Removed

In the spring of 2010, things started happening to the building.  There was talk of the place being remodeled into something else, but alas, it was only prep-work for the final fate of the building later that year.  To many folks, the end was just another reminder of days gone by that had nothing but memories attached to them. 

The building was demolished in late 2010 and nothing has been built on the site since.


back of the building - 2010


The building once stood across the small "street" to the north of the cache, but has since been demolished... but many folks have wonderful memories of this palace-of-a-bygone-era.
This is NOT a difficult hide. The Difficulty is in the area and being stealthy.

The Cache is designed to bring you here... and give you some history.

IF you have any more information or details on this theatre,
please email me and i will include it in the description.

Thank you.


** The Cache **

This is NOT a difficult hide. The Difficulty is in the area and being stealthy.

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

The Cache is designed to bring you here... and give you some history.

Enjoy the hunt as i've enjoyed the hide. :-)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Zntargvp - Ybbx Hc

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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