Documentation
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Castle Theater (28-00332)
112 E Main StManchester IA 52057
History and Architecture
Construction date
1935
Historic function(s)
Social/meeting hall
Recreation and culture/theater/movie theater
Current function(s)
Social/meeting hall/hall of other fraternal, patriotic organization
Recreation and culture/theater/movie theater
Architectural classification(s)
Late 19th and 20th century revivals: late gothic revival
Modern movement
Architect(s)
Wetherell and Harrison, Des Moines, IA
Evaluation Under National Register Criteria
National Register status
Not listed
Narrative(s)
Due to extensive interior remodeling and alteration of the street level façade, the building does not retain sufficient integrity to be individually eligible for listing for its historic movie theater associations. As a two-part commercial block it would be eligible as a contributing resource in a downtown historic district.
Exterior Alterations = ticket booth removed and new aluminum storefront installed; flanking storefronts infilled. Interior Alterations - entire interior appearance dates to 1993 remodel.
A review of the available Sanborn maps suggests that the shell of this building may date to circa 1895. The 1891 Sanborn map shows different, smaller buildings, however the 1899 Sanborn map shows a building of the same height and dimension (prior to the c1917 rear addition) containing a drug store (west half) and a furniture store (east half). A furniture store occupied the entire first floor with a meeting hall on the upper floor from around 1905 until 1935. Between 1917 and 1921 a rear addition occurred, which is visible on the building today. In 1935, the building was remodeled to its current appearance from a design by architects Wetherell & Harrison of Des Moines. A December 1935 program shows the theater had showings every night, with "Bank Night" on Tuesdays. The movie theater appears on the 1948 Sanborn map with a lodge hall on the upper floor. Interior remodeled when Fridley Theatres took over around 1993. Still in operation by Fridley Theatres, however, soon to be turned over to a non-profit community group.
