From RoadsideAmerica.com
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"The small city of Ottawa, Kansas, claims that its movie theater has been showing films since 1905. This would make it the oldest operating cinema in America, and also the world. It has survived, the town says, because Ottawa has never been too small to not have a movie theater, or too large to attract a multiplex.
This history was unknown until 2013. That's when the county historical society came across a trove of old photos of downtown Ottawa that showed the theater operating under a variety of names for over a century.
In order to cement the claim, the theater plans to open a small museum to itself in 2014, and then challenge the current Guinness World Records holder, a theater in Brighton, England, that's shown movies since 1910."
From the historical marker on the building:
From the Historical Marker:
"Built by William T. Pickrell, this building was originally used to sell agricultural implements. Other early businesses at this address included a millinery, barber shop, photography studio, billiard hall, restaurant, confectionary, jeweler and tobacco store. Attorney, real estate, insurance, abstract and title offices were also in this building. The Bijou was the first movie theater in 1905. It later became the Crystal Theatre which partially burned in 1917 and was closed in 1929. In 1937 the building was remodeled in an art deco style as the Plaza Theatre and in 2006 it was renovated as the Crystal Plaza Theatre.
A contributing building to the Historic Ottawa Central Business District placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007."
Finally, from the National Register application:
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"Date of Construction: c. 1886; 1910 (renovation); c. 1935 (renovation)
Style: Moderne
Historic Name: Pickrell Block
This two-story theater expresses elements of Moderne styling. The first story has non-historic brick veneer surrounding a double entrance containing two pairs of aluminum-framed doors with plate glass sidelights and transoms. A second storefront entrance occupies the south end of the facade. The treatment of the second-story walls and the neon and enameled steel marquee express the building's architectural style. The marquee is centered on the primary facade and projects over the entrance. On either side the parapet of the stucco wall steps down. An incised triangular design marks the eaves line. Adjacent to the marquee, the stucco is articulated in a drape-like pattern. Three stepped vertical stripes are articulated above the windows. Single windows on either side of the marquee have awnings. With the exception of a single four-light sash with vertical muntins, the windows feature double-hung sashes with a one-over-one light configuration. A metal belt course between the first and second stories extends forward to wrap the perimeter of a rectangular canopy, which is above the theater entrance and supported by heavy chains mounted to the wall.
This building is a contributing element to the original Downtown Ottawa Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It retains sufficient architectural integrity to convey its historic associations. It contributes to the significance of the historic district."