From riverboats to vaudeville stages, Davenport, Iowa was no stranger to spectacle. Between the 1860s and 1940s, this Mississippi River city became a surprising hub for traveling burlesque troupes, variety acts, and risqué revues that blurred the line between entertainment and rebellion. As the city industrialized and its theaters flourished, burlesque evolved from bawdy satire to glittering striptease, reflecting shifting attitudes toward gender, class, and performance. This first installment traces Davenport’s early flirtation with burlesque—from Civil War-era minstrel shows to the golden age of vaudeville—uncovering the venues, performers, and cultural tensions that shaped its backstage history.

The Campbell’s Company performed in Davenport at the Metropolitan Hall, producing a “Monster Burlesque Concert” with acts entitled “The Blacksmith’s Jubilee” and “Dixie’s Land.”

Burtis Opera House | 1869-1920

When the Burtis Opera House opened its doors in 1869, Davenport was still carving out its identity along the Mississippi River. Built as part of the Burtis–Kimball House Hotel complex, the opera house was designed by Frederick G. Clausen in the fashionable Italianate and Second Empire styles. Its presence signaled Davenport’s ambition: this was not just a river town, but a city ready to host the arts and innovation.

By the 1880s, the Burtis Opera House had become a hub of civic pride. Manager A. L. Skeels oversaw renovations that transformed the venue into one of the most modern theaters in the Midwest. Frescoed walls, new stage scenery, and added dressing rooms elevated the experience for both performers and audiences. Most striking of all, the Burtis was outfitted with Edison’s electric light system—making it one of the first buildings in Davenport to glow with this technological marvel. Imagine the thrill of stepping into a theater illuminated not by flickering gas lamps, but by the steady brilliance of electric light.

The opera house’s connection to the Burtis House Hotel made it a magnet for travelers and touring performers. Guests arriving by train could check into the hotel and, within steps, find themselves swept into an evening of Shakespeare, burlesques, or vaudeville.

Here is an incomplete list of acts that graced the stage of the Burtis:

• Oates’ Burlesque Troupe in “Rip Van Winkle” (1869)
• John Brougham’s Great Burlesque of “Pocahontas” (1869/1870)
• Mr. and Miss Couldock in “Chimney Corner” (1870)
• LaRue’s Carnival Minstrels & Burlesque Opera Troupe in “Shoo Fly! Shoo Fly! Don’t Bodder Me” (1870)
• Lisa Weber Burlesque Troupe in “Ernani, or The Horn of a Dilemma” (1871)
• The “Blonde Burlesquers” in “La Somnambula”, “Grimshaw, Bradshaw and Bagshaw”, “A Dead Shot”, and “Pluto” (1871)
• Carl Pretzel, Burlesque Lecture “Shkeese” (1871)
• The Worrell Sisters in “Black-Eyed Susan” (1871)
• Allen’s Celebrated New York Spectacular Burlesque Organization in “Female Forty Thieves” (1876)
• Dillon-Wallack Company in “Lemons” (1877)
• Keliy & Leon’s Minstrel & Burlesque Troupe (1877)
• Mabel Santley’s Burlesque Company (1878)
• The Athletic Club presented “Romeo and Juliet” Burlesque (1878)
• The Loftus British Blondes in “Atalanta, or the Female Athlete” (1878)
• Corinne & Her Burlesque Company in “Arcadia” and “Monte Cristo Jr.”(1890)
• Hurtig & Seamon’s “Bowery Burlesquers” performed “Chop Souy” and “The Shiek Slave” (1901)
• Broadway Girls Big Burlesque Company (1910)
• “The Mirth Makers” – Progressive Wheel Burlesque (1914)
• “Alias Jimmy Valentine” (1914)
• “Little Lost Sister” (1914)
• “Peg O’ My Heart” (1914)
• “The Garden of Allah” (1914)
• Edward T. Beatty’s Beauty Show (1914)
• “The Record-Breakers” (1920)
• George White’s “Scandals of 1919” (1920)
• Rube Bernstein’s “Follies of Pleasure” (1920)

In 1914, the Burtis signed with the Progressive Burlesque Circuit to bring new productions to the stage every week.

In 1920, the Burtis signed with the American Wheel Burlesque circuit, instituting its new policy for burlesque on every Wednesday night.

Grand Opera House | 1890

The Howard Big Burlesque Company performed at the Grand Opera House in Davenport, IA in January 1890. The Company boasted $5,000 spent in the production of “The Palace of Lace”. It also featured “living art pictures” or scenes of models posed and curated for novelty. The living pictures illustrated classical subjects such as “Phryne Before the Tribunal”, “The Judgement of Paris”, “Cleopatra Before Caesar”, “The Temptations of St. Anthony”, “The Persian Nautch Dancers”, and “The Destruction of Pompeii.”

1900s

The Illinois Theatre | 1906-1922

A brief list of burlesques at the Illinois Theatre:

• “Little Miss New York, Jr.” (1906)
• “The Land of the Midnight Sun” (1906)
• “Innocent Maids” (1906)
• “Peck’s Bad Boy” (1906)
• Rosalie Knott in “The Duchess of Devonshire” (1906)
• Oriental Burlesque Company (1906)
• “Painting the Town” (1906)
• “The County Chairman” (1906)
• “A Child of the Streets” (1906)
• “California Girls” (1909)
• “The Lid Lifters” perform “A Day at the Races” and “A Night in Paris” (1910)
• The Adams-Hough-Howard Company performs “The Flirting Princess” (1910)
• Max Spiegel presents “The Social Follies” with Zira, the dancer (1922)

Orpheon Theatre | 1908

The Orpheon Theatre was located at 217-219 Perry Street in Davenport. In 1908 it came under new management of Billy Jackson who presented burlesque at the Orpheon.

The Bill for the Week of March 30:

• The Jolly Widow
• The Flying Dutchman
• The Witty Ireshman
• The Giddy Gaudy Girls
• The Big Novelty Olio
• The Wise Guy
• Burlesque Widow’s Reception
• Comedy, the Dope Fiend

Billy Jackson went on to produce his own burlesque shows like “The Kidnappers” in April 1908.

The Quad City Times stated in March 1908, the Orpheon was the only burlesque house in the Tri-Cities and was receiving “generous patronage from the public.”

Venue Unknown | 1910

A newspaper advertisement in the Daily Times is the only evidence of the Lady Buccaneers burlesque performing in Davenport, venue unknown. Plus- Mademoiselle Emerie, the Parisian Sensation also performed.

1920s

The Liberty Theatre | 1922-1930

The Columbia Theatre | 1925

The Columbia Theatre became a part of the Orpheum Circuit in October 1925. Their new show policy was to have continuous entertainment from 1pm-11pm. The Wright Dancers headlined the Columbia in Davenport that same month. The show offered multiple acts including a “living model” depicted below.

1930s

Masonic Temple Auditorium

Al Jolson hosted the show “Wonder Bar” at the Masonic Temple Auditorium to a full house of 2,000 patrons in 1932. For three hours Al brought Paris to Davenport including acts from a Cuban dancer-Rita Montaner, a “yum-yum” act by Claire Windsor, and an act with four maidens that “would not pass the board of censorship” according to the Davenport Democrat and Leader. The paper lamented how small the stage was at the Temple

In October 1939, the Masonic Temple hosted the burlesque “A Night in the Moulin Rouge”, entertaining 1800 patrons. The cast presented a “Garden of Roses” scene. Ada Leanard, a Chicago burlesque dancer, performed a flash act called “Hands” – “an exotic dance in a blackout with a lone light as illumination. Her white body in sharp contrast to the black hands reaching at her…” (Quad City Times. Page 2. October 3, 1939)

The Orpheum Theatre

For Christmas 1934, the Orpheum booked the burlesque stage show “Spices of 1935” which featured Ted Healy’s famous stooges and a French exotic dancer named Caroline. The show also featured 30 artists models and 25 scenes. Scenes named in the newspapers were “The Human Fountain of Versailles”, “The Nudity in Gold”, and “The Buddha Palace.”

The Orpheum Theatre hosted a Vodvil Revue featuring 10 headline acts. One act featured Princess Yeva “The Exotic Dancer Nudite” in 1936. Continuing this trend in 1937, the Orpheum hosted “The King’s Scandals” from New York City. The show featured striptease and adagio dance numbers by an exotic dancer named Natalie. She presented “The Adagio Tease” during the brilliant scene “The Dance of the Mystic Fans.”

1940s

The Liberty Theatre continues..

In February 1942, the Liberty Theatre closed for a complete renovation of the venue. The new manager, Hughie Mack, announced complete change of program, cast, and scenery every week.

“From out of the burlesque shows come the stars of Broadway, theater history proves. We will present the best grade of burlesque in country in Davenport.”

– Hughie Mack (Quad City Times. “Liberty to Close Today, Reopen Friday.” Page 30. February 15, 1942)

By 1943, the Liberty was included in a chain of burlesque houses of the Midwest. Among them were the Rialto in Chicago and the Avalon in Minneapolis. The Liberty boasted new burlesque every Friday, weekend matinees and a midnight show on Saturday.

This above advertisement boasts the Liberty had “The Only Girly Girl Show in the Tri-Cities.”

The Garden Theatre

In 1943, the Garden Theatre showed “Lady of Burlesque” starring Barbara Stanwyck as Dixie Daisy. The story was originally written by Gypsy Rose Lee as “The G-String Murders.” Dixie Daisy, a small-town burlesque performer, suddenly gets her big chance at the Old Opera House, a famous burlesque theater on Broadway.

The Garden Theatre presented “the Queen of Burlesque” on New Years Eve 1946. It starred Evelyn Ankers, Carleton Young, and introduced Rose La Rose, a famous star of burlesque. The film featured backstage thrills and romance set to the musical gayety of the stage.

Spencer Theatre

The Spencer Theatre hosted “Hollywood Revels” in May 1948. The show featured Aleene Dupree, “the Sweetheart of the Follies Bergere” and Lotus Wing, an Asian performer.

Conclusion

By the mid‑20th century, Davenport’s burlesque scene had already traced a remarkable arc—from its roots in traveling minstrel shows and vaudeville halls to the glittering, risqué revues that challenged social norms. What began as comic satire evolved into a spectacle of glamour and defiance, reflecting the city’s growth and the nation’s shifting attitudes toward entertainment, morality, and gender. Though later decades would bring new controversies and transformations, the foundations laid between the 1860s and 1940s reveal how Davenport’s stages became both mirrors of cultural change and crucibles of performance history. These early chapters set the stage for the stories yet to come.

---

Sources

Websites:

• Burtis Opera House, Davenport, IA | B Scott Holmes
• Burtis–Kimball House Hotel/Burtis Opera House – Wikipedia
• A Davenport Landmark: The Old Burtis House | Primary Selections from Special Collections

Newspapers:

• The Morning Democrat. “The ‘Worrell Sisters’ Troupe.” Page 1. April 27, 1871
• Quad City Times. “This Evening’s Burlesque.” Page 5. February 18, 1901
• The Daily Times. “One-a-Week is Burtis Policy for Burlesque.” Page 5. August 19, 1920
• The Davenport Democrat and Leader Sun. “The ‘Mirth Makers.” January 4, 1914
• The Morning Democrat. “Amusements.” Page 1. July 6, 1869
• The Morning Democrat. “Amusements.” Page 5. April 5, 1871
• The Morning Democrat. “The Blondes To-Night.” Page 1. April 6, 1871
• The Morning Democrat. “The ‘Blonde Burlesquers.” Page 1. April 8, 1871
• The Morning Democrat. “Announcements.” Page 1. May 1, 1871
• The Morning Democrat. “Romeo and Juliet.” Page 1. January 18, 1871
• The Morning Democrat. “Items in Brief.” Page 1. December 26, 1871
• The Morning Democrat. “Corinne and Burlesque.” Page 4. February 22, 1890
• The Morning Democrat. “Fun at the Burtis.” Page 1. February 23, 1890
• Quad City Times. Ad for Burtis Theatre “Follies of Pleasure.” Page 3. October 7, 1920
• The Daily Times. Ad for the Broadway Girls Big Burlesque Co. at the Burtis. Page 5. December 29, 1910
• The Davenport Democrat and Leader Sun. Ad for Burtis Opera House. January 14, 1914
• The Morning Democrat. Ad for Oates Burlesque Company. Page 1. July 1, 1869
• The Morning Democrat. Ad for Burtis Opera House. Page 1. February 10, 1870
• The Morning Democrat. Ad for LaRue’s Carnival Minstrels and Burlesque Opera Troupe at Burtis Opera House. Page 1. July 8, 1870
• The Morning Democrat. Ad for Carl Pretzel at the Burtis Opera House. Page 1. June 5, 1871
• The Morning Democrat. Ad for Female Forty Thieves at Burtis Opera House. Page 1. May 25, 1876
• The Morning Democrat. Ad for Mabel Santley’s Burlesque Company at Burtis Opera House. Page 1. December 23, 1878
• The Morning Democrat. Ad for Victoria Loftus Troupe of British Blondes at the Burtis Opera House. Page 1. December 28, 1878
• The Daily Times. “The Howard Burlesque Company.” Page 4. January 4, 1890
• The Daily Times. “Nothing Rash in Burlesque.” Page 14. December 19, 1906
• The Daily Times. “At the Illinois.” Page 10. December 24, 1906
• The Daily Times. “Burlesque Show Draws; Orientals Appear Before Well Filled House-Performance Not Good.” Page 13. December 28, 1906
• The Daily Times. “At the Illinois.” Page 12. December 22, 1909
• The Daily Times. “At the Illinois.” Page 12. April 25, 1910
• The Daily Times. “Burlesque at Illinois; Zira the Dancer Coming.” Page 9. January 21, 1922
• The Daily Times. “Interpretive Dancers Head Columbia Bill Sunday.” Page 7. October 31, 1925
• Quad City Times. Ad for Columbia Theatre. Page 9. April 7, 1918
• The Daily Times. Ad for The Lady Buccaneers. Page 9. December 31, 1910
• The Morning Democrat. “The Campbell’s First Concert.” Page 1. April 16, 1861
• Quad City Times. Ad for the Orpheon Theater. Page 5. April 19, 1908
• Quad City Times. Big Bill at the Orpheon. Page 5. April 19, 1908
• Quad City Times. “Burlesque at the New Orpheon.” Page 10. April 26, 1908
• Quad City Times. “New Orpheon Opens Monday; Will Be Strictly First Class Burlesque and Vaudeville House.” Page 7. September 15, 1908
• The Daily Times. Ad for the Liberty Theatre. Page 5. December 26, 1930
• The Daily Times. “Burlesque Organization Takes Over Liberty for Week Stand Performances”. Page 8. March 11, 1922
• Quad City Times. “Orpheum Books Big Stage Show for Christmas.” Page 21. December 16, 1934
• The Daily Times. Ad for the Orpheum Theatre. Page 5. April 24, 1936
• The Daily Times. “Orpheum.” Page 21. April 24, 1936
• The Daily Times. “Amusement Calendar.” Page 16. April 22, 1937
• Quad City Times. “At the Garden.” Page 26. September 12, 1943
• Quad City Times. Ad for the Garden Theatre. Page 10. December 29, 1946
• The Daily Times. Ad for Spencer Theatre. Page 5. May 8, 1948
• The Daily Times. Ad for the Liberty Follies. Page 5. September 17, 1943