Organization of the Wayne Theatre Corporation was completed in the summer of 1926, following an informal gathering of local business men who had become interested in the project. R. W. Reiser was named president of the company; Harry Goodman, vice-president; George Gerbstad, secretary; and John Truesdell, treasurer. These men, with Charles A. Handeyside, comprise the board of directors.
Other stockholders of the corporation are William Meyers, T. A. Jamieson, John E. Hawthorne, C. C. Maben, William F. Hoffman, A. S. Poole, Elizabeth Stellwagon, Agness Stellwagon, Matthew H Tinkham, William E. Rice, Adolf Knorfske, Andrew Moore, Frank Bewernitz, George M. Stellwagon, and Charles K. Miller who was later named general manager and had active charge of all details of construction.
Without exception, these people are all residents of the community and all during the process of promotion and construction the idea had been to make the theatre and hotel a proposition that would merit the pride of the territory in and around Wayne. The same idea was carried out in the awarding of the contracts on the building. In every case, where it was at all possible, the work was given to individuals or firms located within the community.
Actual promotion of the theatre proposition was started in January 1926. The first construction work was begun on August 2, 1926 and the beginning of work above grade had its start on December 3, 1926. During the construction period, 28 days were lost because of weather conditions when the foundations were being made and another 12 days was lost after the building was ready to be enclosed.
The Wayne Theatre Corp. is a all volunteer, non-profit corporation, consisting of local citizens with a goal of providing a place of cultural enrichment not just the Wayne/Westland area, but for all of Western Wayne County.
Help in reaching this goal is greatly needed. Interested party's should call the theatre at (734) 728-7469 or write The Wayne Theatre Corp. at 35164 Michigan Ave. Wayne Mi. 48184.