Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
ORPHEUM
ORPHEUM THEATRE. Despite the choice of management not to retain Jake Rosenthal as manager, activities continued at the theater carried his brand. On March 16, 1937 the most popular orchestra, musical group, pianist, instrumental soloist, and singer from Tuesday night "Radio-Stage Varieties" were selected by theater patrons. Following the performance of Ray Alderson and his Swing Band, patrons voted for their choice in each category. Winners were to be featured together on the final "Varieties" show on March 23. (a)
The varied entertainment Rosenthal had been known for continued from April 27-30, 1937 when Orpheum became the "Telegraph-Herald Foods of the Nation Cooking School." Featuring Miss Lucille Harris, cookery expert of the National Livestock and Meat Board, the school promised live demonstrations of cooking and for every program "an attractive recipe folder will be given each woman attending...to contain the printed directions for all the dishes prepared that day. (b) At various times they did the cooking school at the Eagles Hall, GRAND THEATRE, and the Cooper building at 3rd and Main. One year when the Telegraph Herald did not do it WDBQ staged it in the auditorium of DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. Food was the price of admission at the ninth annual benefit motion picture program sponsored by the Lion's Club. Nearly anything edible allowed a child to watch two movies and cartoons. Food was distributed by case workers of the local Iowa Emergency Relief Administration. (c) Showing the tight scheduling of the theater, the evening of the 27th was theater became a lecture hall for an estimated 300 retailers who came to hear W. P. McDowell of Chicago speak about "Sales for a Profit" and Howard H. White of the National Live Stock and Meat Board speak about, and then demonstrate, modernization of meat cuts. (d)
Wartime rationing led to a novel heating solution for the Orpheum in 1945. When the heating equipment of the theater failed, patrons were left a bit cold for one evening. However, the next day warmth was restored. The theater was heated from the boiler of a 1908 threshing machine transported from LaMotte and parked in the alley behind the building. The steam from the boiler, heated by burning the cheapest grades of soft coal, kept the temperature above the 68 degrees ordered by governmental bureaus. (e)
In 1969 the Orpheum along with much of the area around Lower Main Street was suffering disastrous economic times. The theater, the successor of the MAJESTIC THEATRE was scheduled for demolition as part of a fifteen-block URBAN RENEWAL project. There was consideration for razing the theater and constructing a comparable modern replacement until the financial and historical considerations were made. Razing the Orpheum, building a replacement theater was estimated to cost between $1,250,000 and $1,500,000. Renovation of the Orpheum and building a civic center was estimated then to cost $1.3 million. Historically, the Orpheum was located on a theater location since the ATHENAEUM in 1840. Architectural historian Denys Peter Myers of the federal Historic Buildings Survey had written:
The building has great potential as a preservable example
of its period. It is an ornament to the city and has an
outstanding attractive interior. Most important, it has a
potentially viable future as a theater and concert hall of
historic importance in connection with the proposed civic
center, since there is a large legitimate state and the
acoustics are excellent. (1)
Led by such community activists as Wayne Andrew NORMAN, Sr., a group developed the idea that private donations could be collected to renovate the theater into part of an exhibition-arts facility. Norman was quoted as saying the project
would enhance the city's architectural heritage. We
need inner city renewal, but I fear that on a national
scale, we're developing what amounts to 'look-alike
cities.' (2)
The project was named for the five national flags that have flown over this area. Articles of incorporation for the proposed civic center stated that if the project failed, the funds collected to that point would revert to the City of Dubuque for a civic project which the council considered worthwhile. (3)
Led by Norman and representatives of the DUBUQUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, U. S. Rep. John Culver toured the Orpheum in October, 1971. By then the concept of restoring the theater and constructing a complete exhibition center adjoining it at 5th and Main had grown popular among local business leader and civic officials. The city council, for example, had reserved a full block of urban renewal land to encourage the FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER. (4) Culver pledged he would look into the possibility of federal aid for the estimated $1.3 million project. Possibilities, he believed, lay in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Preservation Act. (5)
On January 14, 1976 the Dubuque Recreation Commission, Five Flags Executive Committee, and the City Council decided that an ad hoc committee should hire a full-time theater manager and operate the Orpheum until a permanent organization was established. It was also agreed that the theater should have a separate budget from the city's Recreation Commission. The theater was scheduled to be turned over to the city from the Five Flags Executive Committee on March 1st. Members of the ad hoc committee would include Mayor Alvin Emil LUNDH and representatives of the Recreation Commission, Five Flags Executive Committee, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, DUBUQUE ARTS COUNCL, Citizens Advisory Commission, and labor groups. It was also decided to have a cost-analysis for a second bond issue referendum to fund the construction of the center. (6)
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Source:
a. "Orpheum Theater Patrons to Decide Music Contest," Telegraph-Herald, March 14, 1937, p. 15
b. Advertisement. Telegraph-Herald, April 21, 1937, p. 20
c. "Food is the Price of Admission, Kids!" Telegraph-Herald, November 18, 1938, p. 5
d. "Dubuqueland Retailers Hear Addresses on Merchandising," Telegraph-Herald, April 27, 1937, p. 7
e. "Use Thresher to Heat Show," Telegraph-Herald, April 25, 1945, p. 3
1. "Chronology Section," Telegraph Herald, December 28, 1972, p. 20
2. Brimeyer, Jack. "Dubuquers to Push Five Flags Plan Tomorrow in Washington," Telegraph-Herald, February 25, 1973, p. 12
3. "5 Flags Support Sought," Telegraph Herald, November 15, 1973, p. 12
4. Miller, Jim. "Five Flags Loses Shot at $1 Million," Telegraph Herald, April 29, 1974, p. 1
5. "'Town Hall' Meeting Planned to Discuss 5 Flags Future," Telegraph Herald, Deember 5, 1974, p. 18
6. "Orpheum Theatre to Open With Concert," Telegraph Herald, January 15, 1976, p. 9