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.
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.