Collegian Theater
411 Main Street,
Ames,
IA
50010
411 Main Street,
Ames,
IA
50010
1 person
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Began its run in September of 1937 with “Double or Nothing” and Western Electric’s Mirrophonic sound system. Ended its run January 23, 1974 with “Instinct for Survival.” Seven customers showed up for the beginning of the show and just one was there when the feature ended.
Great looking marquee. Bet this was a beautiful theater in its heyday.
Current use is as part of the First National Bank office complex. The structure has a modern dark brick façade, but the underlying theater structure is easy to see. Photo here: http://twitpic.com/15s37w
The Collegian Theatre was designed by the Des Moines architectural firm Wetherell & Harrison, according to this page about the Varsity Theatre at the Ames Historical Society web site.
Here are photos from 1947, 1951 and 1953, respectively:
http://tinyurl.com/2k6fak
http://tinyurl.com/2me32u
http://tinyurl.com/3y4n82