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Source: Lansing Public Library
The Gladmer Theater was one of the finest of the Lansing Theaters. It began its life as Bucks Opera House in the 1870s. Designed by architect E.E. Meyers and was considered one of the finest theaters in Michigan. It is amazing to think that the theater could seat 1060 people. Later in 1890 Daniel Buck sold the theater to James Baird and it became know as Bairds Opera House. The theater remained Bairds Opera House until about 1910 when faced with increasing completion from other downtown theaters it was decided that the theater needed to be remodeled. After an extensive modification the theater was reopened and renamed the Gladmer.
Source: Cinema Treasures
The 1940s postcard photo of the Gladmer reminds me of when I was a student at nearby Michigan State University. All the buildings to the left of the Gladmer were replaced by the Lansing HQ and switching office of Michigan Bell Telephone Company (now SBC Ameritech). So when the Gladmer closed around 1979, it seemed inevitable that the single screen theater would be leveled by the phone company to be replaced by a parking lot.