Dubuque in Dubuque County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Five Flags Theater

(Majestic Theater)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

1. Five Flags Theater Marker

Inscription. 4th and Main Streets has hosted public entertainment since the 1840’s. Designed by America’s premier theater architects, CW and George Rapp, the Majestic is a Renaissance Revival style with French and Italian influences. The original structure, the Bijou, burned down in 1910 and was replaced by the Majestic.

The superstars of the day have performed on her stage. Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Ethel Barrymore and Sara Bernhardt.

When movies replaced live theater, the Majestic was renamed the Orpheum in 1929.

Saved from demolition in 1969, this irreplaceable treasure underwent extensive renovation. The theater was returned to her glittering hues of gold, bronze, copper and burgundy.

Upon completion, the Orpheum was renamed Five Flags Theater; symbolic of the five nations that governed the region following Marquette and Joliet’s Upper Mississippi exploration in 1673.

The theater is as much an experience to see as the shows that come to life on her stage. The building’s purpose has always remained the same… to provide a home for the entertainment of Dubuque.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 42° 29.863′ N, 90° 39.939′

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W. Marker is in Dubuque, Iowa, in Dubuque County. Marker is on Main Street north of West 4th Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is a large metal plaque, mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, near the main front entrance, facing Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 Main Street, Dubuque IA 52001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Methodist Chapel (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Tim Fanning's Log Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Fourth Street Elevator" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grand Opera House (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Dubuque County Jail (approx. ¼ mile away); John Francis Rague (approx. ¼ mile away); Dubuque Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Iowa's First Church (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dubuque.

Regarding Five Flags Theater. National Register of Historic Places (1972)

Also see . . .
1. Five Flags Center. Five Flags Center is a multi-purpose facility in downtown Dubuque, Iowa. It is named for the five flags that have flown over Dubuque; the Fleur de Lis of France (1673–1763), the Royal Flag of Spain (1763–1803), the Union Jack of Great Britain (1780, during a brief interruption of Spanish rule), the French Republic Flag of Napoleon

Five Flags Theater (<i>wide view from Main Street; marker visible on wall, right of entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

2. Five Flags Theater (wide view from Main Street; marker visible on wall, right of entrance)

(1803) & America's Stars and Stripes (1803–Present). It is currently the home of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, high school musicals, and occasional concerts and ballet productions. (Submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Rapp and Rapp. The architectural firm Rapp and Rapp was active in Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. Brothers Cornelius Ward Rapp and George Leslie Rapp of Carbondale, Illinois were the named partners and 1899 alumni of the University of Illinois School of Architecture. The firm is well known as one of the leading designers of early 20th century movie palaces. It designed over 400 theatres, including the Five Flags Theater, Dubuque, Iowa (1910), the Chicago Theatre (1921), Bismarck Hotel and Theatre (1926), Oriental Theater, Chicago (1926), and the Paramount Theatres in New York (1926) and Aurora (1931). (Submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Five Flags Theater (<i>southeast corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

3. Five Flags Theater (southeast corner view)

Five Flags Theater (<i>National Register of Historic Places plaque; mounted at southeast corner</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2013

4. Five Flags Theater (National Register of Historic Places plaque; mounted at southeast corner)

This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.