Capitol Theatre
330 W. Third Street,
Davenport,
IA
52801
330 W. Third Street,
Davenport,
IA
52801
4 people
favorited this theater
The Capitol Theatre, typical of most movie palaces, began life in 1920 as a mixed use vaudeville and movies theater, and later began showing movies only.
On each side of the main floor auditorium, which originally sat 2,500, it featured alcoves containing a grand piano on one side and a harp on the other. It also had a working Wicks pipe organ, which was maintained by the Theatre Organ Society. On the walls in the lobby, foyer, and upstairs were paintings, which were retouched in the late-1960’s.
In the early-1970’s, the theater switched to Spanish language films. During the 1980’s, it was also used as a Christian Center. From 1990 to 1994, it was a concert hall for country, jazz, and small touring acts, and then for local productions of ballet, community, and college theater.
Recently, Scott Community College was endowed with the building that includes the Capitol Theatre. It was used as a non-profit rental hall for concerts, theater, lectures, etc., but was closed in the Fall of 2010.
Contributed by
Mike Geater
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Recent comments (view all 31 comments)
Here is an undated interior photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2gta5n
A company called Nvents has just taken over management for the Capitol Theater. The bathrooms have been expanded plus a bar, more lighting and stage improvements have all been added.
Here’s a link to the website.
http://thecapdavenport.com/
It looks like it’s going to be a more of a concert venue.
At least it’s being used!
Hey gang,
I’m doing some research on a documentary project on the Winter Dance Party tour of 1959 and the troupe’s (which included Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper) stop at the Capitol Theatre on January 29th, 1959.
Please e-mail me if you know of anyone who was there or could have been there. It would be very, very appreciated. Thank you. It is a gorgeous theatre with such a rich history.
E-mail address:
Thank you!
Sevan
Looks like they’re planning to do more renovations beyond lobby and restrooms – primarily in the backstage area.
Also they’ve expanded beyond concerts; their current schedule includes ballet and opera as well.
Here is the Capitol Theater website:
http://www.thecapdavenport.com/
1982 photo of the Capitol Theatre.
View link
I have many fond memories of the Capitol Theatre when my husband and I worked there. To me the highlight of the season was the “Silent Movie Nights” where a guest theatre organ artist was brought in by the local theatre organ group. A theatre organ concert, sing a long and silent movie accompanied by the organ was included in the ticket price. I also remember the local organ group playing a mini concert for the senior citizens on Wednesday afternoons which also included a special old movie usually a musical. My husband wanting to make it affordable for the pensioners and only charged $1.00 admission. They loved it!
This is a recent close-up photo.
As reported on its own website, the Capitol Theater is once again closed. It’s a true shame this gem can’t be successfully operated.
I see this building has all been but abandoned. What a shame. I am 63 years old and this was the cream of the crop of places to go as a teenage to see Elvis, Buddy Holly, and all the other greats in movies. John Wayne and Roy Rogers. What happened to our society that such grand and out of this world this building was to so many of us Iowa Farm-girls? Why it was a total dream to walk into this glamorous, exciting place so you could watch your favorite heroines and hero’s come to life on the giant screens of yesterday. Let’s not let this building go to waste, surely there is someone or some group that will or could bring this theater back to it’s former glory. I use to run my hands down the railing to go to the restroom, and touch the carpet, the shiny walls in the bathroom. I mean your reading this from a gal who didn’t even have socks to wear at 10-12 years old that hadn’t been through a couple cousins before me already.. My Dad was disabled from bad heart condition aggravated by shrapnel he still had in his body from WW11 and we never even had a soda pop till I was 14 years old. Please let’s show our grandkids how beautiful the Capitol Theater was back in 1956 and how much it meant to us 60+ farm girls in Iowa..