Eureka Opera House, Eureka, NV
Eureka Opera House, 31 South Main Street, Eureka, Nevada. The Eureka Opera House was built on the ashes of the old Odd Fellows Hall, which was destroyed by the great Main Street fire of August 1879. The Opera House was used for the first time for the New Year’s Eve Costume Ball in 1880. The November 11, 1880 Eureka Daily Sentinel newspaper stated, "The building is, according to the plan of work now being carried on, to be thoroughly fire-proof, built with masonry (volcanic tuff) walls, brick and iron front, and slate roof. From the basement to dome the new theatre will be furnished as none of the class have ever been in Eureka. Its arrangement is pronounced to be first-class, for ventilation, for heat, for means of egress in case of fire, and in fact for a "thousand and one" reasons it is bound to be a beneficial and permanent monument to the memory of those who have erected, and who will so soon elegantly furnish the same for the edification of our people."
Eureka was on the main tour circuit for opera and theater performances and many famous personalities performed here during the town’s heyday. The opera house served as a community auditorium showing anything of interest including boxing, speeches, plays, graduations, and dances including annual Nob Hill Fire Company Masquerade Ball held every year from 1880 until well into the 1900s. The first silent movie was shown there in 1915. In the 1920s the opera house became the Eureka Theatre and “talkie” movies were shown.
In December 1923, a fire caused by a misplaced lantern destroyed the oleo stage curtain that was originally hand-painted in Italy. The curtain was replaced in 1924 with a new one painted in Minneapolis, featuring advertisements for local businesses from 1924. The 1924 oleo curtain still hangs at the front of the stage.
The last movie was shown in 1958 and the building fell into disrepair.
In 1990, Eureka County acquired the structure and began a three-year restoration. The Opera House reopened on October 5, 1993. The Building received the 1994 National Preservation Honor Award.
Other historic elements such as the original projectors from the early days of the silent movies, the first "talkies" projector, and a carbon-arc spotlight are on display. Historic graffiti has been preserved back stage from the early days and the tradition has been continued with signatures of the people who have performed at the Eureka Opera House since it was reopened.
The Opera House maintains a monthly schedule of cultural an local events.
Eureka Opera House, Eureka, NV
Eureka Opera House, 31 South Main Street, Eureka, Nevada. The Eureka Opera House was built on the ashes of the old Odd Fellows Hall, which was destroyed by the great Main Street fire of August 1879. The Opera House was used for the first time for the New Year’s Eve Costume Ball in 1880. The November 11, 1880 Eureka Daily Sentinel newspaper stated, "The building is, according to the plan of work now being carried on, to be thoroughly fire-proof, built with masonry (volcanic tuff) walls, brick and iron front, and slate roof. From the basement to dome the new theatre will be furnished as none of the class have ever been in Eureka. Its arrangement is pronounced to be first-class, for ventilation, for heat, for means of egress in case of fire, and in fact for a "thousand and one" reasons it is bound to be a beneficial and permanent monument to the memory of those who have erected, and who will so soon elegantly furnish the same for the edification of our people."
Eureka was on the main tour circuit for opera and theater performances and many famous personalities performed here during the town’s heyday. The opera house served as a community auditorium showing anything of interest including boxing, speeches, plays, graduations, and dances including annual Nob Hill Fire Company Masquerade Ball held every year from 1880 until well into the 1900s. The first silent movie was shown there in 1915. In the 1920s the opera house became the Eureka Theatre and “talkie” movies were shown.
In December 1923, a fire caused by a misplaced lantern destroyed the oleo stage curtain that was originally hand-painted in Italy. The curtain was replaced in 1924 with a new one painted in Minneapolis, featuring advertisements for local businesses from 1924. The 1924 oleo curtain still hangs at the front of the stage.
The last movie was shown in 1958 and the building fell into disrepair.
In 1990, Eureka County acquired the structure and began a three-year restoration. The Opera House reopened on October 5, 1993. The Building received the 1994 National Preservation Honor Award.
Other historic elements such as the original projectors from the early days of the silent movies, the first "talkies" projector, and a carbon-arc spotlight are on display. Historic graffiti has been preserved back stage from the early days and the tradition has been continued with signatures of the people who have performed at the Eureka Opera House since it was reopened.
The Opera House maintains a monthly schedule of cultural an local events.