The following history was a compilation of several historic sources and area individuals. Thanks to Dr. Charles Vear, Mr. Monte Powers, Mr. Jack Ansett, Mrs. Nina Pope, author of A Walk Down Man Street, which is a history of downtown Jonesville, and "The Jonesville Independent", a newspaper still published today. The following history was a compilation of several historic sources and area individuals. Thanks to Dr. Charles Vear, Mr. Monte Powers, Mr. Jack Ansett, Mrs. NinaPope, author of A Walk Down Man Street, which is a history of downtown Jonesville,and "The Jonesville Independent", a newspaper still published today.

Our present day Sauk Theatre was not the original structure which stood on this land. There was a theater and a history before us which we would like to share. It was the year 1904, work on the Panama Canal began in Central America, Bing Crosby of White Christmas fame was born, the first production of Peter Pan was being staged in London, and the first theater building was built here on this spot. This theater was the largest theater in the area and could seat 500 patrons which is twice the size of our present day house, had a balcony and flyspace. The stage was some 50 feet wide and had a dressing room for the star. This was an important part of the theater's ability to draw professional productions to the Jonesville area. Patrons would travel by train from miles away to see productions such a "The Light Eternal", "The Duke of Killicrankie and the first production.

It was not common to have such a fine theater in such a small town and often it could be misleading. As the story was told, a Miss Rose Coghlan, an actress of prominence with the Detroit Opera House, was told in Jackson, that she would be performing in an old hay barn. Taken back by this description of the theater in the small town of Jonesville, the actress brought only her second-best costumes. When Miss Coghlan arrived and stepped onto the stage, she congratulated the audience on their fine theater and told them that she had sent for her finest costumes. Ticket prices ranged in price from $5 to $20 which was a large sum of money in the early 1900's. But patrons were hungry for theater productions like those seen in Detroit and Toledo and kept the Opera House in business for many years.

The opera house suffered the fate of many theater's of the time in the 1920's. With the advent of the moving and talking pictures, the theater was converted into a motion picture house which was managed by Mr. Howard H. Lane. The theater operated until 1932 when there was a devastating fire. The entire structure was gutted with only the outside walls remaining. The opera house suffered the fate of many theater's of the time in the 1920's. With theadvent of the moving and talking pictures, the theater was converted into a motionpicture house which was managed by Mr. Howard H. Lane. The theater operated until1932 when there was a devastating fire. The entire structure was gutted with only theoutside walls remaining.

Within weeks plans were underway to rebuild the structure which would seat 600 patrons and would include the rebuilding of the balcony. Although the history does not specifically name the impediment, this writer would speculate that the depression of the 1930's kept plans from moving ahead until 1936.

The project finally got underway in 1936 with the assistance of a P.W.A. grant. Voters in the city of Jonesville approved a $10,000 bond issue to cover the remaining cost estimated at $16,200. The directors of the old Opera House Company voted to deed the theater site to the village 'gratis'. The new building was built as a communitybuilding with a marquee, village office space on either side in the front of the building, a lobby in the center, and an auditorium in the back which would seat 400 movie patrons. The building was to be built using private contract rather than W.P.A. workers and was a source of community pride. The Jonesville Independent commented in an editorial, "It marked Jonesville as a town whose citizens can pull together for a community's good on civic issues." There was not a performance stage in the auditorium since it was to be used strictly as a movie theater and did not include any kind of back stage. The theater arrangement continued until the movie theater was no longer profitable due to the coming of the television. Again the theater would succumb to the same fate to which many theaters would fall. The movie theater was closed but the community offices remained. The auditorium was used for many different activities, including an archery range.

In 1972, the village of Jonesville decided to sell the building. Two bids were submitted and the bid from the Broad Street Players, a group performing in Hillsdale in 1961, was accepted. The "Players" did not have a building of their own and had been performing at various venues around Hillsdale. Much work was performed on the building and in 1972 the first production, "The Fantasticks", was presented. The theater was renamed The Sauk Theatre because of its location on the old Sauk Trail. Over the next seven years, many productions were presented, sometimes as many as six in one year. Many local talents were presented on the stage boards or worked behind the scenes and all was done without pay.

The Sauk Theatre has seen constant use since 1972 except for one year. In 1979, a second fire significantly damaged the roof, stage, and seats. The theater was spared demolition and was lovingly restored due to the community involvement. One year later, the newly renovated and much improved theater re-opened. For thirty years since, this cozy theater has seen many productions and a parade of wonderful talent come and go. Hillsdale Community Theatre continues to act as its guardian and brings life to the theater year 'round. We hope to see you at our next production!