State Theatre
812 Avenue G,
Fort Madison,
IA
52627
812 Avenue G,
Fort Madison,
IA
52627
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox Midwest Theatres, Orpheum Circuit
Previous Names: Orpheum Theatre, Crown Theatre
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The Orpheum Theatre opened in 1913. In 1923 the seating capacity was increased to 900. It was later operated by Fox Theatres (Wesco Corp.). Later operated by Fox Midwest Division. It became the Crown Theatre in 1946 and was renamed State Theatre in 1949. The theatre closed sometime in 1983. Seating was listed at 631. It was demolished in 1998/1999.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The Orpheum Theatre in Fort Madison, Iowa was built in 1913 as a part of the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit. By 1930 it had been modified into a dual-purpose facility, showing both motion pictures and live acts. It operated continuously under the Orpheum name until 1946. It was renamed the Crown Theatre briefly, and then in 1949 it was remodeled and re-opened as the State Theater. In 1983, the State Theater closed its doors forever. Over the next few years, the structure deteriorated rapidly due to lack of maintenance, and in 1998-9, a wrecking ball put an end to it. The site of the Orpheum is now an empty lot.
My Mom lived in Fort Madison, Iowa during the 1940’s-early 1950’s. An avid moviegoer, she mentioned the Orpheum frequently. Thanks for the information about it.
The July 7, 1923, issue of The Moving Picture World had this news from Fort Madison:
In 1923 the Orpheum found itself competing with the new Columbia Theatre, opened in December, 1922, built in the shell of the burned-out Grand Theatre.1983 photo added credit North Lee County Historical Society.