Cresco Theatre & Opera House
115 2nd Avenue West,
Cresco,
IA
52136
115 2nd Avenue West,
Cresco,
IA
52136
1 person
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Cresco Theatre & Opera House (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Central States Theatres Corp, Paramount Pictures Inc.
Firms: Monarch Theater Construction & Supply Co.
Functions: Live Performances, Movies (First Run)
Previous Names: Cresco Opera House
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
563.547.1066
Nearby Theaters
The present Cresco Theatre was built in 1915 and called the Cresco Opera House. There were 714-seats in orchestra and balcony levels. It was where the travelling shows stopped to put on their performances between 1914 and the 1920’s. By 1941 it was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary A.H. Blank
The Opera House has been fully restored including a chandelier in the lobby and unique decorative plaster work. Residents can attend daily movies at 7:30pm Monday thru Thursday and 7:00 and 9:00pm on week ends. Matinees when warranted. They also have live performances put on by the Cresco Community Theatre.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Here is the registry information:
Cresco Opera House (added 1981 – Building – #81000245)
Also known as Cresco Theater
115 W. 2nd Ave., Cresco
Historic Significance: Event
Area of Significance: Social History
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Local Gov’t
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater
Multiple items in construction journals in 1914 indicate that the Cresco Opera House was designed and built by a St. Paul firm called Monarch Theater Construction & Supply Co.
So far I’ve been able to find three other theater projects involving the same firm, all from 1914. One was the Auditorium Theatre in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The others were in Montevideo and Willmar, Minnesota. I’ve been unable to establish the identity of either so far, though the Montevideo house was probably called the Star.
Saw a movie here in 2009, and about the only other people there were a boy scout troop who got a tour after the film. I tagged along. The auditorium is amazing, and was mostly original, with the seats maybe from the ‘40s or '50s. Lots of ornate plaster, and little light bulbs set into the front of the balcony.
Capacity must have been a lot larger, but the balcony is probably closed.