Property Record
218 S MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Rosa Theater |
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| Other Name: | Rosa Theater |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 116927 |
| Location (Address): | 218 S MAIN ST |
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| County: | Waupaca |
| City: | Waupaca |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1948 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1998 |
| Historic Use: | theater/opera house/concert hall |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Metal |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 4/12/2002 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/18/2002 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | The Rosa Theater is a two-story building with a raised parapet facade. Its historic main elevation is covered with metal in a contemporary pattern of stairs, moons and swirls. The first floor storefront is typical of a movie house with show windows flanking a central entrance of four entry doors. The Rosa Theater was built in 1948 as Waupaca's latest modern theater from its theater entrepreneur, J. P. Adler. The Rosa became the most important movie house in Waupaca in the twentieth century and eventually became the only movie house in town. In 1972, Adler's family sold the theater, but it has remained a movie house since that time. In recent years, its single screen has been transformed into a multi-screen and recently, the theater owner has remodeled the storefront next door. Although the Rosa Theater has some historical interest as an important movie house in Waupaca, the remodeling of the facade has made the building a non-contributing element in the Main Street Historic District. If the theater is renovated to its original appearance, it could be contributing in the district. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Wayne A. Guyant. "When Then Was Now." Waupaca Post, 16 January 1992. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |