(MCH) The Calvin Theatre (SQ) Mystery Cache
Hidden : 11/25/2013
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

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

This can include, and is not limited to, people, places, and things
relating to Cinema or both past-and-present.
This series is a companion to
the Detroit Cinema History (DCH) and
the Ontario Cinema History (OCH) series.




The "SQ" in the name of the Geocache is to
also designate this as a "Spirit Quest" cache.

The series was started in NorthWest Ohio and It has since expanded across the United States and into Canada as well and is designed to differentiate the listing to have more meaning and give time to pause, and reflect on things. Most "SQ" caches are in Cemeteries and/or memorial gardens and are many times limited access by time-of-day or posted-hours. Michigan rules are sun-up to sun-down for cemeteries unless otherwise posted.

This one is part of a Memorial Garden and can be accessed anytime.

Please be respectful of the area and take time to reflect back on the lives of those that have gone-before us...and their contributions to life and society as we know it today.

Thank You.
Michigan Cinema History:
The Calvin Theater
22168 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI



OPENED: 1927 | CLOSED: 1980 | SEATS: 1200


The Calvin Theatre - 1927
The Calvin Theatre was opened in 1927 and was part of the Wisper and Wetsman circuit of theatres. It was built on or near the site of a previously-demolished theatre, The Strand. When it was opened, films did not yet have a soundtrack, so a theatre organ was installed to go along with the film that was being shown.

The Calvin could hold approximately 1200 patrons and was a popular spot for the local residents and visitors alike because of its "Grand view" of architectural wonder here in the west-end of Dearborn.



Aug. 26 1929: “Talkies” arrive at Calvin Theatre with “Broadway Melody.”

The theatre organ wasn't needed exclusively for long because in 1929, only a short two-years after it opened, "Talkies" (as motion-pictures with sound were called) would begin being shown at the Calvin, along with many other movie-houses across the country.


Like many theatres, there were evening and weekend matinees, and usually the public was well-behaved while they took in a show or two.


1927 night time view of the Calvin. This view shows what an awesome sight the theatre was.


During the 1950's, the city of Dearborn would host a Saturday Matinee for the local kids around the winter holiday time. There would be an afternoon of cartoons and cowboy movies (including an origin-story of the Lone Ranger) along with giving each kid a huge candy-bar and a bright-red apple. With this many kids all in one place, it was an atmosphere of happy-mayhem with the laughter and clapping and carrying-on. Some kids even fashioned a noisemaker from empty candy-boxes.

Many patrons would stop for a show, then visit some of the other nearby businesses including a Sander's Store which would be a great place to have a sundae or other confections before or after the show. Aside from Sanders, there was another candy/soda store directly next to the Calvin Theatre that sold magazines, every comic book you could want, and walls of candy. They even had a few stools at a small counter in the back to make shakes and cones, but it's believed that much of this business was taken by the Sanders location because of the reputation of the larger company.

1930 view of the Calvin

 One of the more memorable stories from a former usher was when someone was upset with the manager and poured a large popcorn over the managers head.

The Calvin was a center-of-activity in the area quite a bit most of the time while it was open with so much to see and do nearby. There was a small bookstore called the "Little Professor" that was directly next-door to the west. It remained open for many years and was replaced with a jewelry store.

1930 view of the entrance to the Calvin

The films would change over the years, and the patrons who would begin seeing films at the Calvin when they were small, would later bring THEIR children to see an afternoon matinee or two. It was a family-friendly and wholesome environment to most folks that attended the show at the Calvin. It was definitely a favorite destination for many of the area residents.

In 1965, it was remodeled and updated to include some "newer technology" in the form of projector upgrades as well as visual decor updates to the aging theatre.  These updates would allow it to retain its popularity and nostalgic charm from then on for patrons to enjoy.


Late 20's/Early 30's view westbound

In the 1970's, it began showing discount films to attract more patrons and keep the business-side of the theatre going. 

Unfortunately, the beginning of the 1980's would prove to be the end of the Calvin.  Disaster would strike partway through 1980 and there would be no recovery from the event for the classic theatre.

1927 view from the southwest across Michigan Ave.


The afternoon matinee had just begun around noon on that warm September day in 1980. Folks had just settled-down and were enjoying a show when the fire broke out around 1.00pm. Everyone got out alive and there was some damage to the theatre. It's not known if the theatre reopened after the September 21st fire or not, but it is believed that the damage from this fire was not bad enough to close it for good.

Just over a month later, on another fateful morning at approximately 1.00am on Sunday October 26, 1980, a second fire completely gutted the theatre and adjoining businesses that were attached to the building.
It was a total loss of this Dearborn
 gem and landmark.
1927 view from the southeast across Michigan Ave.

A short time after the second fire had claimed the Calvin, the property and ruins were sold to the City of Dearborn who demolished what remained, then selling the property to a developer so as to not have an empty space in one of it's main retail areas.
What currently resides where the Calvin once showed films and entertained folks is a restaurant and garden memorial to a couple who were beloved local business folks.


1939 ad for the Calvin


Thousands of old theatres around the country have closed, become new businesses, or have just been demolished, leaving vacant-land where once-magnificant houses of the imagination once-stood.
 

1979 view of the front of the Calvin Theatre.


The Calvin Theatre was a very special place to many for many reasons because of the shows, the ambiance, or just the whole experience altogether and was a wonderful part of Dearborn and Metro Detroit.



This is what makes it part of Michigan Cinema History.

A portion of the property that the Calvin once
stood upon was remodeled into this memorial
park that is now here. 

Please take a moment at each location to stop...
...and remember what these places mean.

Thank you.


THE PUZZLE:

The starting point for this puzzle is a
plaque with an indigo 5-point on it.



Count the letters in the following:
a: 3rd line - last word
b: 6th line - second word
c: 4th line - second word


Then proceed to the second waypoint here
which is a memorial plaque:

N 42° 18.342 W 083° 14.813

d: third line - last word
e: first digit of fourth line
f: last digit of fourth line



Your final location:
N 42° 18.abc W 083° 14.def

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

MUGGLES ARE AROUND DAY and NIGHT.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Chmmyr ubyqf gur pyhrf

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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