Strand Theatre
1190 E. 3rd Street,
Cedar Rapids,
IA
52403
1190 E. 3rd Street,
Cedar Rapids,
IA
52403
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Olympic Theatre, Community Theater
Nearby Theaters
Originally opened as the Olympic Theatre in 1912. It was renamed Strand Theatre in 1930. In 1951 it became the Community Theater, which continued to operate until 1984.
In 1984, it was converted into the Opera House Nightclub which closed in 1992. The building has since been demolished.
Contributed by
Paul Salley
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
This theatre opened in 1910 as the Olympic. In the 1930s it was renamed the Strand after the original Strand in town became the State. It was a small neighborhood theater. Located in the part of town settled by Czech and Slovak immigrants it specialized in Czech language films and second run Hollywood fare.
In 1951 the community theater moved in and stayed until 1984. When they moved it became a night club. It was torn down in 1992.
I worked across the street from this theatre for 20 years. It was located on the NE corner of 12th Ave and 3rd St SE. The 16th Ave SW address is bogus-there was nothing at that address. The Strand/Olmpic’s address would have been 1190 3rd St SE.
should be: Strand Theatre 1190 3rd St SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
history: Olympic Theatre 1910-30; Strand Theatre 1930-51; Community Theater 1951-84; The Opera House Night Club 1984-92
I worked as the scenery and lighting designer and technical director for the Cedar Rapids Community Theatre from 1975 to 1984. In 1975 the theatre expanded into the building on the corner of 3rd St. and 12th Avenue which was then used as a tiny scene shop, studio theatre, office space, and storage space.
Though 1190 makes sense as the theatre’s street address, it was actually 1124 3rd St. SE.
Jakorns (on May 20, 2004) apparently got the opening year of the Olympic wrong, as well as the address in their next comment. This item appeared in the June, 1912 issue of Motography: “‘The Olympic’ is the name of the new motion picture theater recently opened at South Third street and Twelfth avenue, Cedar Rapids.”