Prim Theatre

135 S. Green Avenue,
Primghar, IA 51245

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50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on June 24, 2024 at 6:56 pm

This started life as the Opera House, and was renamed several times over the years. It was later renamed the Primghar Opera House, then the Primghar Theatre in 1928, the Time Theatre in 1937, and finally the Prim Theatre on January 14, 1943.

  • NOTE: This was never once known as the Princess Theatre.
Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on January 15, 2024 at 6:48 am

Henry E. Williams and his brother built the Opera House on the west side of Primghar’s Courthouse Square in 1890. After the house had been leased to a stock company for two years, Williams took over operation himself. In the 1914 Polk guide the theater was listed as the Williams Opera House. Henry Williams operated a number of businesses along the 100 block of Green Avenue, and some of the buildings he had built for them in the late 19th and early 20th century are still standing, but the Opera House is sadly not among them. Judging from views at Historic Aerials, it was demolished prior to 1984. The next previous view is from 1949, so that’s as far as it can be narrowed down for now.