Movie Theaters
Historic movie theaters are important cultural and architectural resources in Iowa, representing a unique part of the state’s social and entertainment history. These theaters often served as community gathering places throughout the 20th century, offering not only film but also live performances, newsreels, and civic events. Architecturally, many of Iowa’s historic theaters feature distinctive styles such as Art Deco, Neoclassical, or Streamline Moderne, and include ornate facades, decorative interiors, and vintage marquees that contribute significantly to the character of Iowa’s main streets and downtown districts. Preserving these theaters helps maintain a tangible connection to the cultural traditions, design trends, and communal life of earlier generations. In many towns, restored theaters continue to serve as vibrant arts venues, supporting local economies and enriching community identity.
Movie theaters have taken many forms throughout history, ranging from early meeting halls and converted opera houses to buildings constructed specifically as movie theaters to mid-century drive-ins and multiplexes of today. Each type of venue (and movie) offers a distinct experience from the moment you spot the marquee to the final credits rolling on the screen. Modern moviegoers often enjoy pizza or nachos while sitting in reclining or rocking seats, arranged on steeply pitched risers in compact auditoriums inside shopping malls or large entertainment complexes accessed from expansive parking lots.
Yet, for many Iowans, there is a lasting memory of the classic Main Street theater: a long, narrow auditorium with a gently sloped, often slightly sticky floor, filled with rows of seats that stretched toward the glowing screen. Sitting in one of the oversized “loveseat” chairs on the end of a row felt like a privilege. People would walk from nearby homes or park a block away and pass familiar, brightly lit storefronts on their way to and from the show. These historic theaters were more than just places to watch a film. They were central to the social and cultural fabric of their communities, creating shared experiences and a sense of local identity that many still cherish today.
Hollywood in the Heartland
The Hollywood in the Heartland project began in 2007 as a collaborative effort between Preservation Iowa, the State Historic Preservation Office, Main Street Iowa, and the Iowa Tourism Office. Its goal was to research and document Iowa’s historic movie theaters and explore the state’s connections to Hollywood. This multi-year, multi-phase initiative focused primarily on properties built for or associated with the movies before 1970. The results of the project, including detailed documentation of the theaters, are available online for public access through Preservation Iowa, providing a valuable resource for preservationists, historians, and movie lovers alike.