According to the Wayne County Historical Society’s December 2008 newsletter:
The Wayne Theatre in Corydon was built in 1936 of cinder block with an art deco design. It was the largest screen in Iowa and was considered to have the best sound system around. Two carbon arc projectors were purchased in 1939 especially to show the movie, “Gone with the Wind”.
There have been various owners over the years and for a few years no movies were shown. In 1990, WAYCO Arts and Corydon Community Betterment purchased the Wayne Theatre and began renovations. A new roof, paint, wiring and a new projector were added. The old screen was salvaged and reworked but later was replaced with a new screen. The theatre was once again part of the community. Movies are shown 3 nights a week and the theatre is manned by volunteers. There have been community plays, special performances, and musical groups. In other words, this theatre is used much the way those early opera houses were.
The old carbon arc projector and original popcorn machine from Wayne Theatre are currently on display at the Prairie Trails Museum.
Address: 209 E. Main Street, Coggon, IA 52218. Built in 1915, the Coggon Opera House continues to be a gathering place for community events. For many years it was the Comet movie theater. It was refurbished and reopened in 1993. Known for its great acoustics, it has hosted many productions, including plays produced annually by the Opera House Community Theater Group. The building is owned and managed by the Coggon Old Opera House Community Arts Council.
When movie theaters became popular, a large screen and projection booth were added. A contest was held to name the movie house. The winning name “Comet” was chosen and a large sign erected over the marquee and ticket booth. In the 1940’s Bank Nights brought large crowds with the hope of winning a cash prize. Dishes were also awarded at times. Tickets cost 22¢ on Saturday and 28¢ on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The 28¢ included a special World War II tax. No movies were shown on Friday nights after football was added to the high school schedule.
The Coggon Improvement Company was formed in 1944 and became the building’s owner. They leased it to various movie theater operators through the years. These operators were: Joe C. Smay – 1944-47; Vic Williams – 1947-49; Fay & Mabel French – 1949-74; Russell Schmidt and Dennis Pflughaupt families – 1974-80; Ron & Linda LaPole – 1981-82. When television came, attendance declined. The Comet Theater was closed in 1982. Neglect and vandals took their toll on the structure
The Jones Theatre plays movies on Friday and Saturday night and Sunday Matinee. The theatre has made the digital conversion according to theier website. New website
The Rees Cinema closed in 2014 and is for sale. The Rees Theater is located at the Southeast corner of Michigan and Laporte St. Collins & Company has the listing. Listing Price $225,000.00
Shouldn’t the address for this drive-in be either Highway 70B or Highway 5 since that is where the enatrance was. Asher is the small street in the aparatment complex.
On Sky View’s opening night in 1954, nearly 7,000 people in more than 1,100 cars geared up for the flicks. It even stayed popular into the colder months. Thanks to those in-car electric heaters at no extra charge.
The Chateau Theatre was built in 1937 by Dr. Frank Rider and his wife. The grand opening was held on June 30, 1937. The Rider’s operated the theatre until the late 1960’s. The theatre couldn’t compete with television. In 1971 the Wauneta Commercial Club purchased the theatre and made the necessary updates to the building but the theatre still struggled through the 1980’s. The theatre clossed again in 1989. In 1993 the theatre weas rescued again by two teachers. A fund raiser was held which produced 75K for the necessary renovations. Of the 75K 25K came from the Rider family. It was reopened in 1994 after the renovaations were completed.
The theatre is now used for movies shown each week end (first run) and other community aactivies. The theatre has even amde the conversion to digital projection and sound. It is still operated with a all community volunteeer staff.
According to the Wayne County Historical Society’s December 2008 newsletter: The Wayne Theatre in Corydon was built in 1936 of cinder block with an art deco design. It was the largest screen in Iowa and was considered to have the best sound system around. Two carbon arc projectors were purchased in 1939 especially to show the movie, “Gone with the Wind”. There have been various owners over the years and for a few years no movies were shown. In 1990, WAYCO Arts and Corydon Community Betterment purchased the Wayne Theatre and began renovations. A new roof, paint, wiring and a new projector were added. The old screen was salvaged and reworked but later was replaced with a new screen. The theatre was once again part of the community. Movies are shown 3 nights a week and the theatre is manned by volunteers. There have been community plays, special performances, and musical groups. In other words, this theatre is used much the way those early opera houses were. The old carbon arc projector and original popcorn machine from Wayne Theatre are currently on display at the Prairie Trails Museum.
Address: 209 E. Main Street, Coggon, IA 52218. Built in 1915, the Coggon Opera House continues to be a gathering place for community events. For many years it was the Comet movie theater. It was refurbished and reopened in 1993. Known for its great acoustics, it has hosted many productions, including plays produced annually by the Opera House Community Theater Group. The building is owned and managed by the Coggon Old Opera House Community Arts Council. When movie theaters became popular, a large screen and projection booth were added. A contest was held to name the movie house. The winning name “Comet” was chosen and a large sign erected over the marquee and ticket booth. In the 1940’s Bank Nights brought large crowds with the hope of winning a cash prize. Dishes were also awarded at times. Tickets cost 22¢ on Saturday and 28¢ on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The 28¢ included a special World War II tax. No movies were shown on Friday nights after football was added to the high school schedule. The Coggon Improvement Company was formed in 1944 and became the building’s owner. They leased it to various movie theater operators through the years. These operators were: Joe C. Smay – 1944-47; Vic Williams – 1947-49; Fay & Mabel French – 1949-74; Russell Schmidt and Dennis Pflughaupt families – 1974-80; Ron & Linda LaPole – 1981-82. When television came, attendance declined. The Comet Theater was closed in 1982. Neglect and vandals took their toll on the structure
The Clarion Theatre is now independently operated and fully digital. It is operated by an all volunteer staff. website
This Cinema is now operated by Marcus Theatres. website
The Carroll Drive-In was last operated by Fridley Theatres.
This should be listed as open with live performances and movies.
The Boone Theatre is no longer operated by Big Time Cinema, Their website
The Lyric is open but now called the New Lyric Theatre showing first run attratctions according to their faacebook page.
Even though the theatre is now a mixed use venue they are still showing first run movies. Their most current attraction was “The Book Of Life”.
The drive-in display ads list the drive-ins location as Highway 37.
Don’t know why it wouldn’t be accurate. Thanks for the address update.
One side of 61 is Patton Road, the other is Morning Star Rd. They advertised Highway 61 and Patton Rd.
The Jones Theatre plays movies on Friday and Saturday night and Sunday Matinee. The theatre has made the digital conversion according to theier website. New website
The Rees Cinema closed in 2014 and is for sale. The Rees Theater is located at the Southeast corner of Michigan and Laporte St. Collins & Company has the listing. Listing Price $225,000.00
This theatre is still standing, address is 248 N. Main St., Fairfiax, OK 74637.
Shouldn’t the address for this drive-in be either Highway 70B or Highway 5 since that is where the enatrance was. Asher is the small street in the aparatment complex.
The name of this drive-in was the Brentwood Auto Theatre. It was last owned by the Luce Amusement Co.
I 1962 this drive-in was known as Auburn-Opelika and parked 320 cars
On Sky View’s opening night in 1954, nearly 7,000 people in more than 1,100 cars geared up for the flicks. It even stayed popular into the colder months. Thanks to those in-car electric heaters at no extra charge.
website
website
The Dude Ranch Drive-In Closed in 1983.
The Chateau Theatre was built in 1937 by Dr. Frank Rider and his wife. The grand opening was held on June 30, 1937. The Rider’s operated the theatre until the late 1960’s. The theatre couldn’t compete with television. In 1971 the Wauneta Commercial Club purchased the theatre and made the necessary updates to the building but the theatre still struggled through the 1980’s. The theatre clossed again in 1989. In 1993 the theatre weas rescued again by two teachers. A fund raiser was held which produced 75K for the necessary renovations. Of the 75K 25K came from the Rider family. It was reopened in 1994 after the renovaations were completed. The theatre is now used for movies shown each week end (first run) and other community aactivies. The theatre has even amde the conversion to digital projection and sound. It is still operated with a all community volunteeer staff.
The Rivoli has two screens. Websiste
I found a listing or the Otoe Theatre in 1939 with 300 seats. It was listed as closed in 1957. The building now houses a Knights of Columbus Hall.