Strand Theatre

915 Central Avenue,
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

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Strand Theater...Fort Dodge Iowa

The Strand Theatre opened in 1916 and fell under the Central States Theatres banner in the early-1930’s, until it closed in the late-1960’s. Seating was listed at 572. Central States Theatres controlled the market in Fort Dodge for many years.

Contributed by Chuck

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on June 16, 2009 at 5:53 am

Here is an October 1949 ad from the Fort Dodge Messenger:
http://tinyurl.com/kwfxno

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on December 23, 2012 at 6:39 am

From the mid 1950s a photo postcard image of the Strand in Fort Dodge.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on July 19, 2014 at 8:55 pm

Unless something happened to the original building, or the name was moved to a different house, the Strand Theatre dates to 1916. Here is an item from the July 16 issue of The Moving Picture World

“THE STRAND THEATER, FORT DODGE.

“A. F. Powers, of the Decorators Supply Company, has closed a contract for the ornamental plaster decorations and lighting fixtures for the Strand theater now being erected at Fort Dodge, Iowa, by Messrs. Julius & Awe.

“The decorations of the Strand will be carried out according to the designs furnished by the proprietors. The theater will seat about 700, and will be of strictly fire-proof construction. The auditorium will be ventilated with a modern air washing apparatus. The interior of the auditorium will be carried out to represent an Italian garden effect, with semi-direct electric bowls suspended from arches between the wall pilasters. The wall pilasters and proscenium arch will be of caenstone.

“The foyer and lobby will be of ornamental plaster marble and mosaic floor. The prevailing color of the auditorium will be French gray and ivory, with electric fixtures in ivory and antique gold. The entire front of the building will be covered with an artistic electric sign and display lights.”

The Strand Theatre changed hands in 1917, as reported in the September 1 issue of MPW:
“Fort Dodge, Ia. — D. B. Lederman, manager of the Des Moines Laemmle Film service, has purchased the Strand theater in Fort Dodge from Messrs. Julius & Awe.”

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