Theatre
814 Iowa Avenue,
Onawa,
IA
51040
814 Iowa Avenue,
Onawa,
IA
51040
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This theater appears on the 1913 Sanborn, in an old two story brick storefront that dated to before 1893. The 1907 map shows a clothing store here.
This early theater may have been the Majestic, and/or the Royal. A Majestic Theatre is mentioned by 1912, and the Royal Theatre by 1917. These may have been the same. At any rate, by 1924, this theatre had closed, and was used as a store. The facade was likely replaced at some point around 1920.
The building today is in decent shape, and may have apartments upstairs.
Contributed by
Seth Gaines
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The Majestic, on Iowa Avenue, was the only theater listed at Onawa in the 1914-1915 American Motion Picture Directory.
Thanks. I felt pretty certain this was the Majestic. Less certain that it later became the Royal.
I’ve re-read the NRHP registration form for the IOOF Opera House/Onawa Theater, and it mentions a connection with the Majestic in October, 1912. The two houses were coordinating their schedules so people could attend both of them. The form’s first mention of the Royal is in the period from 1907-1909. It notes that Onawa’s first regular movie house, the Scenic, opened on Iowa Avenue in late 1907, and the Royal opened later.
The Royal is mentioned again in 1917, when by August, it was under the same management as the Opera house. As there is no evidence that the Royal and Majestic operated at the same time, it’s possible that they were the same theater under different names, though so far there’s no evidence of that either. But if there is only one movie theater on the 1913 Sanborn, that could be a hint that the Royal and Majestic were the same house.
Wolff & Rodgers took over the I.A. Blotcky Clothing Store converting it to the Majestic Theatre opening on February 4, 1909. Blotcky moved creating The Big Store. The Majestic had a Powers projector, 250 seats, and a hand-painted wildlife curtain in front of the screen. Moorhead & Fairchild took on the venue followed by L.E. Paine with Fairchild.
Paine & Fairchild opened the 301-seat Royal Theatre on May 6, 1913. They operated both the Royal and the Majestic briefly. Two months later, the Majestic closed July 10, 1915 with three one-reel films. (Among the limitations of the Majestic was lack of fire exits, single projector, and lack of a concession stand.) Wise Drug Store took over the location converting it back to retail beginning September 1, 1915.