Sunset Theatre

326 Cedar Street,
Davenport, IA 52802

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Additional Info

Functions: Restaurant

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Deluxe Theatre, People's Theatre, Zenith Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Sunset Theatre

Located at the intersection of Cedar Street and W. 4th Street. Originally opened in 1914 as the Deluxe Theatre, it later became the People’s Theatre, then in 1917 the Zenith Theatre. The ultra-modern neighbourhood Sunset Theatre reopened October 22, 1940 with 20th-Fox’s B&W “Star Dust” starring Linda Darnell. It was closed on October 29, 1958. It was converted into a Salvation Army Citadel.

In 1976, the building was converted into a branch of the Rudy’s Tacos chain.

Contributed by Tinseltoes

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 25, 2013 at 10:11 am

This page of Rudy’s web site lists the location at 326 Cedar Street, so it must still be there.

In satellite view and street view, the building has an odd shape, with one corner chopped off. I’m having a hard time figuring out how the auditorium was configured in that irregular space. Has the building been altered since it ceased to be a theater?

Also, I see that Google Maps has screwed up again, putting the pin icon about four blocks too far east. As Cedar Street is clearly labeled on their map, I can’t imagine why they missed it with their pin.

Kingrjking
Kingrjking on December 28, 2015 at 4:04 pm

Beginning in the 1914 Davenport City Directory a theater, the Deluxe, is listed at s.w. corner of W. 4th and Cedar. Next the People’s is listed at same address. Then in 1917 thru 1940 directories the Zenith is listed here at 326 Cedar. Finally the Sunset is listed at 326 Cedar from 1941 thru 1957. Davenport Democrat newspaper article of Jan 7, 1959 mentioned that Sunset ceased to operate on Oct 29, 1958.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 1, 2017 at 4:54 pm

October 22nd, 1940 Grand opening ad as Sunset in the photo section.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 29, 2022 at 7:33 am

It became the Salvation Army Chapel before Rudy’s Tacos.

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