Cedar Rapids in Linn County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Strand Theater

History Happened Here!

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 18, 2023

1. Strand Theater Marker

Inscription. The Strand Theater, designed in the style of an Italian palazzo, was built with 1,300 seats for stage, vaudeville, and motion picture productions. It opened on Oct. 18, 1915, for a theater troupe called the Strand Players, as well as a variety of traveling productions. It became the State Theater in 1929 and then the New World Playhouse in 1960. An early movie was Tess of the Storm Country starring Mary Pickford, which initially was made in 1914 and then remade in 1922. After the theater went out of business in 1981, the building was acquired in 1986 by the adjacent Guaranty Bank and incorporated into Guaranty Bank building complex.

Caption: 1922 photo of the Strand Theatre at 314 Third Avenue SE. The History Center Archives collection.

Erected by Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission; The History Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is October 18, 1915.

Location. 41° 58.674′ N, 91° 39.909′ W. Marker is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in Linn County. It is on 3rd Avenue Southeast east of 3rd Street Southeast, on the right when traveling

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east. The marker is on the sidewalk directly across the street from th former Strand Theater. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids IA 52401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Greene (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington High School (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Iowa Building (about 500 feet away); First Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away); Paramount Theater Building (about 700 feet away); Sustainable Surfacing (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roosevelt Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam Conflict (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar Rapids.

Also see . . . Strand Theatre (Cedar Rapids Historic Markers Project).

Former Stand Theater, currently vacant. Marker is across the street on the sidewalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 18, 2023

2. Former Stand Theater, currently vacant. Marker is across the street on the sidewalk

This is the site linked to by the QR Code and URL provided on the marker. In terms of text, it offers only what is already on the marker. However, it may be of some use as it links to the other markers that are part óf the project. (Submitted on December 21, 2024.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 19, 2025

3. Strand Theater Marker

Marker is across the street from the old theater

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 3. submitted on July 19, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.