Many theaters provided entertainment in Monroe
By David L. Eby
Motion pictures have been shown in Monroe County for over 100 years.
The first permanent motion picture theater in Monroe County (and the second one in the state) was the “Little Gem Theater.” It was located on East Front Street in a former horse stable. It became part of the old downtown VFW building.
The former VFW building has quite a colorful history. Besides the horse stable and early theater on the ground floor, the former upper level bingo hall once had a casino in it during the 1940s.
That is, until the Michigan State Police made a surprise visit one day and confiscated the slot machines and other gambling equipment. It then became a bingo hall.
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