In the 1920s, there were at least seven theatres in Waterloo: the Majestic, the Columbia, Waterloo, the Strand, State, Orpheum and the Rialto. The grandest theatre of all was built in 1927, first called the Riveria, then renamed as the Paramount. It was located on the east end of the Fourth Street Bridge. The theatre had many luxuries, including twinkling stars, moving clouds in the ceiling and air conditioning. The outside of the building looked like a palace. Unfortunately, the theatre was located next to the Illinois Central belt line and the railroad engines often drowned out the actors' lines. The Paramount was torn down in 1972 as part of a downtown Waterloo flood control project.