Transcribed by Ann Selvig, from:  Allerton, Iowa Centennial,
July 5-6 1874 -1974, 100 Years

 

BIJOU THEATRE

 

     “Bijou Theatre” was built about 1883 when the old Bank was built.  The theatre was located above the “D & D Antique Store” which is now owned by David and Dorothy Leeper.  We refer to it as the old “Opera House” where many pleasant hours were spent.

     The large room was lined with chairs, fastened underneath with boards.  A stage was at the west.  In the 1800’s and early 1900’s the room was used for graduation exercises for 10th and 12th grades, plays, operettas, concerts, Union Church Services, Show Troupes, etc.  A piano player “Blind Boone” was one who came with a show troupe.  “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “Ten Nights in a Bar Room” were presented here often.

     Many years ago George Knerr, Jeweler, had a shop below.  He also had stoves, harness and buggies.  The harness was kept on hooks at the back of the store and an elevator was used to lift the stoves and buggies to the second floor where they were stored.

     In the early 1930’s, Claude and Lola Conklin opened a skating rink in the theatre.  It was open on Tuesday and Thursday nights of each week.  They operated “Galfords Dry Goods Store” below.  The Show Building was next door south.  They tore out the stage in the old theatre and gave the flood-lights to the school.

  The Legion and Auxiliary had their meetings in the back rooms.  In the 1940’s the Legion began sponsoring dances in the theatre.  When Lawrence Welk was just starting up his band and had about six members, he and his band played at Allerton, along with many other good bands at that time.  Square dances, Political Meetings and dinners, etc., were also held there.

     Claude and Lola closed the skating rink in 1959 and the theatre’s use was discontinued.

     The Legion and Auxiliary now have their meetings at the Civic Center.

   

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