Wonderland Theatre

121 E. Main Street,
Cherokee, IA 51012

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Additional Info

Previous Names: Cynic Theatre

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Wonderland Theatre

This theatre appears on the 1909 map in a small one-story brick veneered frame building. This was constructed between 1892 and 1899 and was previously a pool hall. It had opened as the Cynic Theater by 1909 and was renovated and remodeled later in 1909 and renamed Wonderland Theatre.

This theatre was not a success, and the 1914 map shows wallpaper being sold here.

The building was demolished many years ago. It would have been under the eastern half of the restaurant building, which dates from 1974.

Contributed by Seth Gaines

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

SethG
SethG on March 25, 2024 at 4:33 pm

Minor correction - According to the NRHP listing for downtown, the replacement is from 1974. Not clear if the earlier building lasted that long.

SethG
SethG on March 25, 2024 at 5:35 pm

Based on an old postcard, I believe this was the Wonderland.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 26, 2024 at 5:19 am

If this house was indeed the Wonderland (which seems likely) then it had an earlier (and rather odd) name. The May 1, 1909 Moving Picture World said: “Cherokee, Ia.-Henry Ling has purchased the Cynic Theater here, and has taken possession.” The April 17, 1909 issue of The Lemars Globe Post provided more details:

“Henry Ling, former proprietor of the Family theatre in this City, has purchased the Cynic theatre at Cherokee and takes possession of the same Monday next. The place will be named Wonderland and will be closed until the first of May, and in the interim Ling will renovate and remodel the building making it over to suit his ideas of a modern moving picture establishment. He will also install the latest machinery and says he will have an establishment there second to none of its kind in this section of the country. The Lings have made many friends here who wish them prosperity and happiness in their new home.”

SethG
SethG on March 26, 2024 at 8:18 am

Sounds like the Family was a short-lived operation. Maps here are from 1899 and 1909, leaving a gap that it must have existed in.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 26, 2024 at 8:56 am

The paper that mentioned Mr. Ling’s Family Theatre “…in this city….” was from Lemars (or Le Mars) so that’s where the theater must have been.

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