Page 7 of the Dedication Program

    During the era before the Cotton Theater was built was a time when traveling drama teams flourished.  The drama teams usually came from New York or Chicago and depended on the railroad for their transportation.  Cedar Falls proved to be an excellent source for such drama teams with the new railroad built.  Yet, by the time the Cotton Theater was built in 1909-1910, the traveling drama teams declined.  Additionally, in the 1900s the country had produced too many theaters, thus requiring more drama teams, which eventually led to poorer drama quality.  Also, in 1910 automobiles became increasingly popular, allowing people to travel to other theaters such as in Waterloo.