Capitol Theater (Burlington, Iowa)
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The Capitol Theater | |
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| Location | 211 N. 3rd St. Burlington, Iowa |
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| Coordinates | 40°48′34″N 91°6′11″W / 40.80944°N 91.10306°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1937 |
| Architect | Wetherell and Harrison |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001373[1] |
| Added to NRHP | November 22, 1996 |
The Capitol Theater was a 700-seat theater in Burlington, Iowa. Opened in 1937, with the first showing being Mark Twain's classic The Prince and the Pauper. The theater was both a movie theater and an auditorium used for performances (though the stage was only used for approximately an hour during its Grand Opening, and was never used again).[2] The theater closed in March 1977, the final showing was the Stephen King horror classic Carrie.
On December 29, 1936, plans to create a modernized theater were finished. It was approved by the firm of Wetherell and Harrison architects and approved for the Central States Theater Corporation. The theater was built in between the I.S.U. and Eisfeld building on Third Street. The front of the theater extended five to six feet above the I.S.U. building.
The exterior of the building had terra cotta and structural glass. It also had shades of burgundy and brown, with gold trimming. Electric signs were placed to show present and coming attractions.
The lobby had a rich terrazzo floor. The walls were wood veneer with stainless steel trimming. The ceiling was decorated in a deep color with modern colored lights. The foyer will have a two-tone carpet, walls painted and glazed in color, the ceiling richly ornamented with lights of the indirect type and with several color. Both the lobby and the foyer will be spacious, as the entire building will be used for the theater.
The auditorium was decorated in acoustic tile of colors with rich ornamented side wall and ceiling panels, including a cornice at the junction of the side walls and ceiling decorated in deep colors. The lights being used for the auditorium were a new design. They could be switched to make a combination of colors either turned on or dimmed down.
The seating was upholstered and in colors that matched the interior color scheme.[3]
The overall cost in constructing the theater with equipment was $65,000.[4] In 2011 standards, it cost more than $1,015,349.65.
On April 12, 1937, the theater was expected to be opened on June 1.[5] Due to management decision, the opening date was postponed for another month to finish cleaning up and decorating. It was opened on July 1, 1937.[6]
The first movie that was premiered on opening day was The Prince and the Pauper, starring Errol Flynn. The show began at 6:30 p.m. Adult admission cost 36 cents and 10 cents for children.[7]
