Eddyville Theater
117 Walnut Street,
Eddyville,
IA
52553
117 Walnut Street,
Eddyville,
IA
52553
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Bonzo Theater
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This theater was constructed by late-1931, replacing an earlier theater which was possibly destroyed in a fire. The 1931 directory lists the Opera House, which was then gone, as well as a Bonzo Theater, with 400 seats. The 1932 directory lists the Bonzo Theater with 420 seats. The 1933 directory shows it closed. The theater is still listed as closed in 1940, but the capacity has now been reduced to 180.
The theater reopened as the Eddyville Theater in 1942. It was still open in 1947. The listings become totally garbled at this point. 1952 lists an Eddy Theater with 230 seats, and a Valley Theater, apparently closed. 1954 lists only the Eddy Theater, and 1956 again lists the Eddyville Theater but closed, and the Valley Theater with 230 seats.
It seems a bit dubious that these all could have been the same building, but the theater from the 1931 map is still standing. In 2010 it was in very scruffy shape with a scar where a marquee had been removed. It has been spruced up a bit, and may be a residence.
Contributed by
Seth Gaines
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
It is possible that this building was replaced or remodeled at some point, as it is two stories, at least in the front. I will have a photo at some point, once I get around to editing the folder it’s in. It seems from a recent photo I found that it may be part of the restaurant or bar next door.
The July 7, 1947 issue of Film Daily had bad news about theaters damaged or closed by floods in Iowa, including at Eddyville: “At Eddyville, Earl McConkey who had just purchased the Eddy Theater, had his house submerged three times and he now figures it will take six months to re-open.”