June 22, 1920 – Iowa City movie mogul William H. Englert passes away at age 45.

Willie (Billie) Englert got into the Iowa City Movie House business in 1911 by buying out The Bijou Theatre at 120 S. Dubuque Street. His idea was that the Bijou would be a complimentary piece to his new theater being built on East Washington Street. But, as things turned out, in September of 1912, when his magnificent Englert Theatre opened, The Bijou Theatre had already closed its doors.

The Englert Theatre opened in September 1912 with seating for 1,079 patrons. With its opening, this grand theater immediately put Iowa City’s long-time live entertainment center – The Coldren Opera House – out of business. The Englert was constructed at a cost of about $60,000 and was located just around the corner from the Bon Ton Cafe – 24-26 South Dubuque Street – which Etta Englert operated, while William kept his role as owner of the Englert Ice Company.

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