Webster Theatre

The Webster Theater, remodeled from the Granada Theatre, and located in the E. H. Martin Building at 610 Second Street soon was the only remaining theater in downtown Webster City. Art Downard bought the Webster from the Pioneer Corporation in 1964 and owned and operated it until 1980. He was joined in the 1979 by his son, Tom, who then purchased the theaters from his father, Art.

Tom owned and managed the theaters until 1988 when he sold the Webster Theater to Bob Fridley. Fridley owned many theaters in county seat towns all around Iowa. He invested approximately $340,000 in a complete remodeling of the theater. For a time, he had a video rental business in the basement. Lack of parking and the inconvenience of going to the basement caused problems in the rental business as other large rental places opened on Superior Street. Today his company operates the Webster Theater, the last of the motion picture houses of Webster City.

When asked if any film stars ever visited in Webster City, Art Downard recalled two. Gene Autry and his musicians came here when he was just starting out in the movies. At a much later time, Dan Akroyed came to Webster City with his girl friend to visit the girl’s grandmother. His visit was much publicized. An open house wine and cheese party was held by Art Downard at his home. The Blues Brothers were playing at the Webster at the time.