738 N Doctor Martin Luther King Jr Dr (AKA 738 N 3RD ST) | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

738 N Doctor Martin Luther King Jr Dr (AKA 738 N 3RD ST)

Architecture and History Inventory
738 N Doctor Martin Luther King Jr Dr (AKA 738 N 3RD ST) | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:Grand Theater
Other Name:
Contributing:
Reference Number:108658
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):738 N Doctor Martin Luther King Jr Dr (AKA 738 N 3RD ST)
County:Milwaukee
City:Milwaukee
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1904
Additions: 1909 1913 1925
Survey Date:1980
Historic Use:theater/opera house/concert hall
Architectural Style:Neoclassical/Beaux Arts
Structural System:
Wall Material:Stone - Unspecified
Architect:
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:Yes
Demolished Date:1986
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name:Not listed
National Register Listing Date:
State Register Listing Date:
NOTES
Additional Information:Though the first story facade of this early theatre has been radically altered, the classicized terra cotta upper facade probably dates from the alterations made to the building in 1913 or 1925.

One of the early downtown movie theatres in Milwaukee. Although no original building permit exists, in 1909 a permit was issued to alter the building "known as the Grand Theater". City directories list the Grand Theater at this address as far back as 1904. Sanborn map research supports the 1904 construction date as plausible. By 1910 the building was called the Princess Theater and was owned by the Saxe Bros., owners of a circuit of "moving picture theaters" in Milwaukee. The Princess became an adult theatre in the early 1960s. It has been operated continually as a movie theater until 1995. It is currently only used for special events.
Bibliographic References:
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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