Zimm Theater

Located in an old one story stone storefront built sometime before 1884. The 1905 map shows a saloon here. Around 1907 it opened as a nickelodeon names Nickels Theater. In 1919 it was modernised and expanded to become the Jewel Theater. The stage and part of the auditorium were located in a two story addition at the rear. In 1919 it was renamed Zimm Theater.

This theater had a very long life for a cramped conversion, especially given the size of the town. It was taken over by Fox in 1930. It was closed in 1949 and was demolished by the Fox Midwest Amusement Corp. chain around 1950 to be replaced by a much larger new Fox Theatre (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures).

Recent comments (view all 2 comments)

robboehm on April 3, 2026 at 11:19 am

Theater began life around 1907 as the Nickels, a nickelodeon, owned and run by Nellie and Henry Schmidt.

In 1910 it was modernized and expanded and renamed the Jewel. (See photo I have uploaded).

1919 taken over by Oscar Zimmerman and renamed the Zimm.

1930 taken over by Fox, along with the Regent across the street.

1949 closed and demolished for the new Fox which opened in 1950.

During all these transitions the Schmidt’s were the owners of the property.

SethG on April 18, 2026 at 9:36 am

Thanks for the history!