Des Moines Theatre
517 Grand Avenue,
Des Moines,
IA
50309
517 Grand Avenue,
Des Moines,
IA
50309
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Grand opening ad posted.
1953 photo added via Sheryl Polson.
The Des Moines Theatre launched July 10, 1919 with “For Better or Worse.” The theatre was lauded for its Spanish Renaissance design. One of its biggest days was the World Premiere of “State Fair” that brought out both the stars of the 1945 film and the theatre’s biggest crowd.
The final operator of the Des Moines Theatre, Tri-States Theatre, was limited to three first run Des Moines houses. When it opened the Plaza Theatre January 28, 1966, it abandoned the Des Moines Theatre on January 27, 1966 – its final day of operation with “All That Heaven Allows.” A few events occurred thereafter. Housed in the Iowa Building, the Des Moines Theatre was razed by Bankers Trust for a financial institution in May of 1969.
The Polk County Convention Complex now stands where the Des Moines Theatre was.
A few more details: built in 1918 by A.H. Blank at a cost of $750,000 (in 1918 dollars); style: Egyptian Revival interior. Torn down in the mid 1960s.