State Theater - Washington, Iowa
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member iconions
N 41° 17.898 W 091° 41.443
15T E 609616 N 4572698
This two-story red brick building is located at 123 East Washington Street in Washington, Iowa.
Waymark Code: WM12HQB
Location: Iowa, United States
Date Posted: 06/01/2020
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member YoSam.
Views: 2

State #92-00167
Map #86
- 1 contributing building

1893, 1931
Romanesque
Height: 2 story
Walls: brick
Storefront: remodeled with yellow brick (1950s?)
Windows: 1/1 wood painted
Architectural details: center arch entry behind canopy, brickwork
Architect/Builder: Foster & Liebbe (architects, Des Moines)
Modifications: Historic: building facade clad and recently removed

The Graham constructed from July-Nov 1893 -opening night on November 27, 1893- built by Opera House Company
1893-1910s - The Graham -theater, small businesses in two front corners
1921-1929 - owned by Winfield Smouse-Pratts used for traveling shows;
1926 - interior modernized by Winfield Smouse for showing movies;
1928 - reopened as combined movie and opera house
1931 - theater leased and remodeled by Pratt family (operated Fox Theater on E. Main)- renamed State Theatre;
1932-1951 - State Theatre (and Fox) operated by Ralph Pratt
1950s - Washington Amusement Co (formed by Pratts) continued to operate State Theater here - Jessie Dougherty continued to own building until death - then sold in 1962 to theater company
1962-1979 - State Theater owned and operated by Washington Amusement Company;
1979-2001 - State Theater owned and operated by Associated Theaters - sold to R.F. Fridley in 2001
2012 - State Theater

-National Registry Entry



Who
WASHINGTON, IOWA, STATE THEATRE
What
118 YEAR(S): 348 DAY(S)
Where
UNITED STATES (WASHINGTON)
When
26 APRIL 2016

The oldest continuously operating cinema theatre is the Washington Iowa State Theatre (USA) in Washington, Iowa, USA, which opened on 14 May 1897, and as of 26 April 2016 has been in continuous operation for 118 years, 348 days.

The first moving picture shown at the Washington Iowa State Theatre was shown on a cinematographe that was made in Paris, France. Tickets for the first moving picture were 15, 25 and 35 US cents each.

-Guiness Book of World Records Entry



Public/Private: Private

Tours Available?: no

Year Built: 1893 remodeled 1931

Web Address: [Web Link]

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