Comments from kencmcintyre

Here is a 1949 photo that is being sold on eBay:
http://tinyurl.com/lz4nxc

So the Strand building, constructed in 1916, was burned in the 1929 fire but not destroyed. It was renovated and became the Premier. At some later date the name was changed from Premier to Los Gatos.

This is a 1944 photo. It looks like the earlier Strand was re-opened as the Premier after a fire in 1929, but then later became the Los Gatos listed here. The Premier was mentioned as an aka by Gary Parks on 9/21/08.
http://tinyurl.com/nb6sax

The Curves gym is in the small building at 308 N. Main. 306 would have been where the empty lot is on the right side of the picture. Looks like the theater is gone.
http://tinyurl.com/kw9cra

Here is a night shot from a few years ago:
http://tinyurl.com/lt4q5p

Here is a depressing news clip about the theater’s demolition in January 1985:
http://tinyurl.com/n9cx8q

Here is a postcard, circa 1940s. The notation of Main Street on the card is apparently incorrect.
http://tinyurl.com/mpzzm5

Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/mpell7

Here is a June 1993 article from the Anamosa Journal-Eureka:

The marquee on Jones County Cinema last week listed the coming attraction, “Indian Summer”, which seemed like a satirical comment about the recent streak of cold, rainy weather. Although it was not in jest, the cinema’s marquee is often the site of commentaries about local issues. Mike Grassfield says the accolades and critical comments are the work of his father, Dave Grassfield.

But Mike is owner-operator of the theatre. And he is one of those rare individuals who really enjoys what he is doing. He says operating a theater is a fun job because he enjoys talking to and joking with the crowd that drops in on weekends to relax and watch the movie while munching on freshly cooked popcorn and an assortment of other refreshments. Jones County Cinema is appropriately named because it is the only remaining theater in the county, other than the Starlighters Theatre, which is for live performances only.

Other theaters once in existence in the county are long gone because of the stiff competition from other areas, which makes Jones County Cinema even more remarkable. It shows current films, not the ones you saw ten years ago, and offers them at reasonable prices. It’s an inexpensive evening out for a family, and surprisingly enough, Jones County Cinema does not show movies that are billed as suitable for a restricted audience. According to Grassfield, they just don’t sell in Anamosa. But at other theaters, it is hard to find movies appropriate for families.

Jones County Cinema is a family theater in many respects with a community-minded spirit To those who are laid off, admission is half-price. “They will remember us when times are good again for them,” Grassfield said. Jones County Cinema offers two shows on Friday and Saturday evenings. At the earlier time, 7 p.m., children can come without adult supervision, but at the later show, 9 p.m., they must be accompanied by adults.

Grassfield plans to expand the theater and open up the balcony by fall. In this way, he will be able to show two different movies at the same tune. He is always working on ways to improve the theater even though it isn’t always apparent to the casual observer. Some of the latest improvements include a new air conditioner and energy-efficient furnace, a new roof and two new platters for the film reels.

So we have three Algonas or former Algonas, two at this address and one at 216 E. State. Here is a May 1937 article from the Kossuth County Advance:

The State theater has been leased by the Algona Theater Co., which has been operating the burned Call theater. Manager N.C. Rice will take charge of the State with a show beginning Sunday. The Iowa theater on Thorington street will be operated as usual.

Plans are now under way for rebuilding the Call theater, and when the new theater is completed it is planned to make the Iowa theater building into store quarters. The deal for the lease of the State was signed by the Algona Theater Co. and Gail Pettit, owner and builder of the State, at 2 a.m. this morning at Des Moines.

Feature pictures will probably be shown at the State this summer as the Iowa is too small to accommodate crowds. The opening Sunday show at the State under the new management will be Hit Parade, with the Eddie Duchin, Cab Galloway, and Lucky Strike orchestras, Frances Langford, Phil Regan, Molasses and January, Al Pierce, and seven other radio acts.

The ownership of the State theater building is retained by Mr. Pettit, but the equipment was purchased by the Algona Theater Co. The lease, it is understood, is for a long term of years.

There is an older photo on the Google books site:
http://tinyurl.com/ljl4h4

Here is a January 2009 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/mt4jok

Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ndzzc2