Princess Theatre

An item about the Uptown Theatre on this web page says that the Princess Theatre opened on May 30, 1912. The page says that partners Ludy Bosten and George Niebert ran the Princess for about ten years, but another source says that it had closed by 1919. An inventory of historic buildings prepared for the State Historical Society (PDF here) says of the property at 227 E. Second Street:

“From 1913 to 1916 the Princess Theater, an early motion picture theater was here. The Princess Theater was opened by George Neibert and Ludy Bosten. An ad article from the Annual Edition of the 1913 Muscatine Journal claims ‘they have connections with the best of Film Companies in the business and they have shown a very keen business management by introducing pictures that are so poplar in all the larger cities through the United States.’ The article shows an elaborate arched recessed entrance to the theater and indicates ‘with an airy, well ventilated clean play house these two young men have built up a reputation among the movie goers of this city during their career in Muscatine. With their variety of quality films, and well balanced programs and with the best and latest projecting devices will sure mean another successful year to the young proprietors of the well known theatre.’ (Muscatine Journal Annual Edition, December 13, 1913, pages unnumbered). Unfortunately, their business did not last with the Princess Theatre out of business by 1919.”