218 W Main

1920 - Happy Hour Theater/Old American Theater/A.C. Cooper Building/Murraine Clothing

Commercial, two-story parapet front

This is one of a few post-World War I commercial buildings and represents the re-fronting in 1920 of an 1880 block.  The footprint measures 24x100.  The second floor windows are likely intact.  A new storefront obscures the original one.  The new storefront results in facade with similarities and similar brickwork between it and the McDonald Building (1949) to the east. Transom is covered but intact, storefront replaced with recessed entrance.

Nova Scotian-born grocer A.B. Ross built the original building between 1880 and 1883.  The building last housed the "old American [movie] Theater" which closed on January 2,  1920.  Its operators Sisk and James were confidant that their "New" American Theater at 108-110 East Main, begun the previous year would soon be ready. 
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The building was purchased by A. C. Cooper of LeMars and he remodeled it for a new clothing store which was to open in mid-February 1920. A force immediately tore off the old storefront and it was to be replaced with an "up-to-date modem front."