The Columbia Opera House (321 5th) showed movies for a time and the small building just to the east of it (323 5th) also was a movie theater in the 1910s.
The Ritz Theatre is still standing. I just drove by a few months ago. It is at 523 Driftwood, just north of 5th Street. It was constructed between 1917 and 1926 and appears on the 1927 Sanborn Fire Insurance map. According to local history sources, an Eddie Osipowicz was responsible for building/operating the theater.
Some recent research might provide a little clarification to the above –
The original Sioux Theater was located in the 2-story building currently standing at 809 Central. This building was constructed in 1924 as the Dunlap Theater. It became the Tivoli Theater in 1928 under the ownership of Jack Bouma. In 1939, the theater changed hands and names again, becoming the Sioux Theater. In 1961, when the theater building was converted into Streit Pharmacy, the Sioux Theater name transferred over to the former Comet Theater at 710 Central that is discussed above.
The original Dunlap Theater (later Tivoli and Sioux Theater) building is still standing and I would recommend a new separate entry to help eliminate confusion.
A little more research on my end turned up that the original Iowa Theater burned down in 1936 and was rebuilt shortly thereafter; this is the building at 2209 Main today. The current theater manager believes that it was known as the Iowa Theater until Fridley took over (1980s?), remodeled the theater, and renamed it the Riviera.
This building was constructed around 1929 as the Casino Theater. The building contained both a movie theater and a dance hall during the 1930s and 1940s. The name changed to the Sac Theatre at some point before 1955. It is currently vacant.
The earlier Rialto Theater was down the street and around the corner. The building is still there at 29 3rd Ave NE. The Boumas operated the “Old” Rialto from the 1920s until they constructed the “new” Rialto discussed above.
I am pretty sure this is the same as the Riviera Theater still in operation at this location. An earlier, Iowa Theater stood at the same location in the early 20th century. It burned down in the 1920s and was replaced with the existing Riviera Theater.
A movie theater appears at this location on the 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance map. Perhaps it simply had a different name prior to the “opening” of the theater under the Wonderland name?
According to local residents, the State 3 Theater is in the former Ben Franklin, which was remodeled by Fridley a few years ago (c2004) to be a movie theater.
This building is still standing. It is at the NE corner of Gilman and N 3rd. It is vacant and has lost its marquee, but remnants of the lobby are visible through the window.
Just visited this location last week and it appears that it is still standing, just encased in a marble and slate skin. It is now occupied by 4 Oaks of Waterloo.
Hi, Chuck1231 – I am very interested in your posting from earlier this year, as I am working on a statewide survey of movie theaters for the Iowa SHPO. It contradicts what we’ve found in Mapleton – Can you provide the source of your information so we can reference it in our survey information? Thanks!
Correction – went through town and found it standing, though significantly altered. The parapet features a key stone with letter “M” in relief.
The Columbia Opera House (321 5th) showed movies for a time and the small building just to the east of it (323 5th) also was a movie theater in the 1910s.
The Ritz Theatre is still standing. I just drove by a few months ago. It is at 523 Driftwood, just north of 5th Street. It was constructed between 1917 and 1926 and appears on the 1927 Sanborn Fire Insurance map. According to local history sources, an Eddie Osipowicz was responsible for building/operating the theater.
Some recent research might provide a little clarification to the above –
The original Sioux Theater was located in the 2-story building currently standing at 809 Central. This building was constructed in 1924 as the Dunlap Theater. It became the Tivoli Theater in 1928 under the ownership of Jack Bouma. In 1939, the theater changed hands and names again, becoming the Sioux Theater. In 1961, when the theater building was converted into Streit Pharmacy, the Sioux Theater name transferred over to the former Comet Theater at 710 Central that is discussed above.
The original Dunlap Theater (later Tivoli and Sioux Theater) building is still standing and I would recommend a new separate entry to help eliminate confusion.
Thanks for the added info, Joe.
A little more research on my end turned up that the original Iowa Theater burned down in 1936 and was rebuilt shortly thereafter; this is the building at 2209 Main today. The current theater manager believes that it was known as the Iowa Theater until Fridley took over (1980s?), remodeled the theater, and renamed it the Riviera.
By the way, it is at 118 N 5th St.
This building was constructed around 1929 as the Casino Theater. The building contained both a movie theater and a dance hall during the 1930s and 1940s. The name changed to the Sac Theatre at some point before 1955. It is currently vacant.
The earlier Rialto Theater was down the street and around the corner. The building is still there at 29 3rd Ave NE. The Boumas operated the “Old” Rialto from the 1920s until they constructed the “new” Rialto discussed above.
According Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, the Royal Theater dates to at least 1923.
I am pretty sure this is the same as the Riviera Theater still in operation at this location. An earlier, Iowa Theater stood at the same location in the early 20th century. It burned down in the 1920s and was replaced with the existing Riviera Theater.
A movie theater appears at this location on the 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance map. Perhaps it simply had a different name prior to the “opening” of the theater under the Wonderland name?
According to local residents, the State 3 Theater is in the former Ben Franklin, which was remodeled by Fridley a few years ago (c2004) to be a movie theater.
This building is still standing. It is at the NE corner of Gilman and N 3rd. It is vacant and has lost its marquee, but remnants of the lobby are visible through the window.
Just visited this location last week and it appears that it is still standing, just encased in a marble and slate skin. It is now occupied by 4 Oaks of Waterloo.
According to the local librarian, this building is no longer standing.
Hi, Chuck1231 – I am very interested in your posting from earlier this year, as I am working on a statewide survey of movie theaters for the Iowa SHPO. It contradicts what we’ve found in Mapleton – Can you provide the source of your information so we can reference it in our survey information? Thanks!