Germania Hall
1316 1st Avenue N,
Denison,
IA
51442
1316 1st Avenue N,
Denison,
IA
51442
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This theater appears on the 1913 Sanborn, in a 2-story wooden structure. The Germania Hall operation had moved to this site sometime after 1908, when the original location on the corner to the west was selected as the site of the new post office, which was built in 1913. The move to this location involved the demolition of part of a large livery stable, which remained in operation on the remainder of this part of the block.
By this time, movies were being offered along with dancing and live acts. Plans were to cover the structure in metal sheeting, but this may not have happened. This location closed by sometime in 1914, when the much larger brick building (now the Donna Reed Theatre) was constructed to the south, at the main intersection.
The building on this site today is a Prairie style Masonic lodge. The rear of this structure is covered in asphalt shingle (indicating a wooden building), and this may be the same structure as the Germania Hall.
Contributed by
Seth Gaines
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Note that the historical address was 112-114 E Tremont, before the streets were renamed to a boring numbered grid.
Here is a photo at Flickr. A comment by a local says the building was built as “…a German opera house….” on the site of the current post office and later moved to this lot, after which a new façade was built for it. It looks plastered to me, but I suppose it could be painted metal. The building is now shared by the Masonic lodge and a martial arts studio.
It certainly could be the same building. I think the facade is new. I’m not even sure it’s possible to plaster over metal. Sometimes local knowledge is spot-on, sometimes it’s bunk. It would make sense that they moved it, although the appearance of the building on the 1913 map is different.
By the way, if you can find a movie date at the Germania from 1908 or before, I will create a listing for the first location.