LAURENS, IA (Northwestiowanow) — A large chandelier that once hung inside the former movie theater in Laurens has found its way back home.

The chandelier, which once hung inside the Elite Theater at 104 North Third Street, is now on display at Heart n’ Home in Laurens.

Heart n’ Home owner and florist Julie Wurr says the chandelier dates back to the early days of the Elite Theater and had been purchased decades ago by her aunt, who passed away last fall. For years, the chandelier was believed to be lost.

 

The Elite Theater operated in Laurens for more than 40 years, opening around 1915. It began as a silent-film movie house and later became one of the first small-town theaters in Iowa to show movies with sound in 1929. The theater drew regional crowds through the 1930s and World War II era and ultimately closed in 1958 following the rise of television and declining attendance.

Very little documentation of the theater remains, especially photographs of the interior. Anyone with photos, records, or additional information is encouraged to come forward.

 

 

After being professionally installed and cleaned by SS Electric of Emmetsburg, the chandelier now hangs in the center of Wurr’s store.

Wurr says keeping the chandelier publicly accessible was important to her.

 

 

And in the event the Elite Theater is ever restored and reopened, Wurr says she would gladly donate the chandelier back.

Heart n’ Home is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with additional hours on the third Saturday of each month.

For more information, visit their Facebook page.