Zephyr Theatre
921 Church Street,
Ottumwa,
IA
52501
921 Church Street,
Ottumwa,
IA
52501
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Current function should be: Masonic Lodge
Yes, it looks like they added a 2nd story and removed the tower piece off the Northeast corner of the building but you look and the door placement and the tilework even look VERY similar.
The Zephyr Theatre building had been drastically altered by the time the photo Milton linked to above was taken. A CafePress store that sells objects with old photos and memorabilia on them has this photo depicting how the Zephyr originally looked as Wetherell & Harrison designed it.
The November 3, 1940, issue of Boxoffice Magazine ran an item saying that excavation had begun for a theater on Church Street in Ottumwa. Although the name of the theater was not given, the photos match the description of the facade of the proposed house, which was to be a brick building faced with glazed tile and glass blocks. The theater was designed by the Des Moines firm Wetherell & Harrison, and was to have 525 seats.
I recently took a trip to Ottumwa and took pictures of this location. It sure looks like the same building that was once a theater but here is some pics. See for yourself.
There are also other pics related to other theaters in Ottumwa, IA. in this link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60993177@N00/