Wieting Theatre

101 S. Church Street,
Toledo, IA 52342

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Related Websites

Wieting Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Functions: Live Performances, Movies

Styles: Colonial Revival

Previous Names: Wieting Opera House

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 641.484.4440

Nearby Theaters

Wieting Opera House Interior

Opened in on September 12, 1912 as the Wieting Opera House seating 300. It was named after Dr. and Mrs. P. G. Wieting. Operated by Tama Theatres from 1950 thru 1958. The theatre was closed from 1958 until 1960.

In 1960 it was reopened and is now operated by the non profit Wieting Theatre Guild. Movies are played on the week ends with live performances added at times. The theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 26, 1979.

Contributed by Chuck

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on July 1, 2010 at 2:15 pm

Looks like an Opera House for sure.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on July 1, 2010 at 2:29 pm

Could also pass for a church looks like one just down the street from me.Good to see its still in operation.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on November 19, 2014 at 2:46 am

The Wieting Theatre is now all digital with 3D capabilities.

paulnelson
paulnelson on January 11, 2015 at 1:21 pm

A lovely classic colonial style building. Wonderful it is still operational and now digital.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on August 3, 2015 at 2:10 am

Status Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on April 26, 1979 Reference number 79000944 Architectural style Late 19th and 20th Century Revival: Colonial Revival Areas of significance Entertainment/Recreation; Architecture Level of significance Local Evaluation criteria A – Event; C – Design/Construction Property type Building Historic function Theater Current function Theater Period of significance 1900-1924 Significant year 1912

SethG
SethG on December 30, 2024 at 5:07 pm

Doesn’t appear in movie listings until 1928, when it is shown with 400 seats. Disappears in 1930, and the 1931 through 1933 directories list a Whiting (sic) with 240 seats, which was the capacity of a small theater on the square.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 31, 2024 at 5:48 pm

In its issue of March 1, 1961, trade journal Motion Picture Exhibitor said “After operating four months the Weiting, Toledo, Iowa, the Toledo Community Theatre Guild issued a report showing a profit” Little more than a year later, the July 2, 1962 issue of Boxoffice cited a mention of the house in an even more prestigious publication:

“Toledo, Iowa, Citizens Proud of Journal Quote

“Toledo, Iowa— Mason City isn’t the only place in Iowa firmly established on the theatre map. Toledo (pop. 2,850) is crowing about the recent Wall Street Journal page one story on the revival of motion picture theatres throughout the country.

“The Wieting, a community-run theatre here, is operating after a three-year closing. Mrs. Willard Beadle, head of the Toledo organization which operated the Wieting, was quoted in the lead as saying that ‘Unless you have lived in a small town like this, you cannot imagine what a spark of life is breathed into a community when its theatre comes to life again.’”

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