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Tibbits Opera House is the second-oldest theatre in Michigan, having been built in 1882. Rich in history and ambiance, even today the theatre offers theatre-goers nearly perfect acoustics, an intimate 499-seat setting, and a fine array of performances throughout the year. Barton S. Tibbits originally built the opera house with wisdom and vision. The aim was high art, timeless architecture, excellent acoustics, splendid furnishing and the finest of entertainment. Tibbits put Coldwater on the map as one of the few small cities in the nation with a social and cultural center of such grandeur. Thanks to the forward-thinking individuals who saved the opera house from destruction in the 1960s, the citizens of Branch County still have the opportunity to experience the opera house and the cultural activities valued so highly by its early residents.
Preserved in the edition of September 19, 1882 of the Coldwater Republican newspaper is a richly detailed account of the building's physical description. From surviving photos and valuable accounts like these, we can re-imagine the experience of the original theatre patron. When Tibbits Opera House first opened, such a patron would have found the theatre to be nothing less than an architectural masterpiece.
A patron's first experience of the theatre would have been his breathtaking view of the building's façade. With its French "Second Empire" architectural design, the building was adorned with a 24-foot (7.3 m)-tall, slate-covered cupola with a flag staff mounted with a golden eagle statue. The tip of the dome itself towered 76 feet (23 m) above the pavement below. At the base of the cupola, one could behold an elegant bronze bust of Shakespeare, and below this still, inscribed in an arch above the front window was "Tibbits Opera-House, 1882", in gold leaf. The face itself consisted of iron work, red and black brick, and cut stone "united in excellent taste." Three large windows allowed the glow of the sun to fill the theatre lobby, and below the middle window was an iron balcony furnished with glass globe lanterns.
As a patron entered the front doors, he would have found himself in a lobby with two stairwells leading up to the balcony, a manager's office, and a smoking room. Upon stepping through the terracotta leather covered and gold trimmed wooden doors into the auditorium, a patron would have been softly bathed in the shimmering glow of 94 gas lights. These lights, were crafted of polished brass and fitted with etched glass globes. The stage itself was equipped with 174 gas lights. All the lights in the entire theatre were controlled from the stage by means of a pipe system, allowing the stage manager to ignite or extinguish any or all of these brilliant lights in an instant. Beneath a dome resplendent with painted cherubs, a large chandelier, known as an "Opal glass reflector", scattered sparkles of reflected light over all. Elegant red Brussels' carpet softened patrons' steps, and grand opera chairs, upholstered in dark Cardinal plush awaited to seat them. These chairs were engraved with the monogram, B.S.T., Barton Tibbits' initials, and many of these chairs offered foot rests and hat and umbrella racks. Amazingly the auditorium originally held 1,000 seats for patrons. The seating area was divided into the parquet and the parquet circle – two separate areas on the floor in front of the orchestra pit. The walls of the auditorium, colored in cameo tints and dashes of cardinal, green, and gold color in "conventional figures" produced "a warm, sunny effect and [gave] the auditorium a bright and airy appearance which is very pleasing." Dominating the scene was a grandly ornate 34-foot (10 m)-wide by 53-foot (16 m)-long proscenium stage with elegant opera boxes situated within the massive tin and plaster arch.
The stage itself had all the latest technological features. Scenery and curtains were shifted and moved via the rigging loft, and the stage itself included a "paint-bridge and movable frame, five sets of grooves, trapdoors, and every modern convenience for producing all kinds of scenic effects." Additionally, speaking tubes and bell signals connected the stage manager with the box office, orchestra, and scene and trap shifters. The stage's collection of scenic backdrops was exhaustive and of the highest quality, and was a third larger than the Kalamazoo Opera House.
The boxes were draped with cardinal silk plush curtains, lined with gold, and trimmed with lace. In the center of the proscenium arch one beheld a portrait of William Shakespeare and above this portrait against a light-blue background was "a group of cherubs, gracefully posed, representing music and the drama." Surrounding the main chandelier in the auditorium were more "cunning little cherubs" trailing garlands of flowers. In the words of the Coldwater Republican, "The delicate coloring of the background brings out the figures in strong relief so one may almost imagine them floating in space and inhale the odor of their fragrant burden." The cove around the auditorium also was decorated with "vases of flowers, bouquets and conventional vines and figures." L. B. Chevelier, who painted many of the stage's backdrops, was the artistic genius behind such beautiful creations.
Regarding the beauty and workmanship of the theatre, Carolyn Gillespie has observed that "Tibbits was easily as elegant as the Second Olympic Theatre which was completed in St. Louis that same year." Elegance was paired with superb acoustics in the rendering of the stage and auditorium, and all in all, ironically the best visual description is perhaps given by the Republican: "It is impossible to give a description of the decorations which will convey an adequate idea of their beauty. They must be seen in order to be appreciated." Unfortunately for the modern patron, such an opportunity has long since died.
Currently 6/16/2016
The City of Coldwater is upgrading South Hanchett Street and Tibbits Plaza in keeping with our beautiful historic building. Work is currently being done on both the street and parking lot in front of the theatre.
Jersey Lily Flour, interesting story of how it was named.
Also the story of the scandalous life of Emilie Charlotte (Lily) Langtry..
Moses Smith House
131 E. Chicago St.
Built circa 1889
This Queen Anne home was built for the cost of $8,000 in 1889. Prior to its construction, The Old Morse Tavern sat on this property until the tavern was moved to the end of West Pearl St in the 1880s. Moses Smith owned a lumber yard on West Pearl St. His marriage to Mary Legg led to the beginning of Legg Lumber Company.
They Lyman Byers family owned this home from 1903 to 1959.
The Coldwater River was not cold this weekend. great for floating and swimming in the currents here. great camping also.
Open water.swimmers are a hardy, slightly insane group.. ready for 6.30am alarm.call, to join other idiots at the lake side at 7.30. Whilst I and the other slightly saner wriggle into layers of neoprene, a particularly insane bunch don their swimsuits bobble hats (or double layered caps) and jolly death markers and into to the lake we go. Temp is a chilling 11 degrees, it makes your lungs seize and catch your breath, Balaji, up to his waist asks me to push him the rest of the way. 10 mins acclimatising and swim time... its beautiful, serene watching the sun come up. After 1km your bits are numb, and core dropping in temp time to get out for a hot drink and the shivers.
Same time next week, they all jolly say.. absolutely.. but each week its getting colder... will I brave the ice this year? 😱
Coldwater, MI
Because Coldwater was on the main railway between Detroit and Chicago, news traveled from cities where entertainment and cultural activities were already well established. As an area with plenty of lakes and forested parks, Coldwater also attracted city folk as a resort destination.[2] In 1882, when the theatre was built, Coldwater was a day's trip from either Detroit or Chicago, which resulted in Coldwater's becoming a natural stopping point for visitors and theatre performers traveling the byway. Accordingly, Coldwater residents developed a strong interest in art, culture, and literature.[citation needed]
Barton S. Tibbits, the mayor of Coldwater at the time, accepted a challenge to build an opera house in Coldwater. Art Gallery owner H.C. Lewis first proposed that he and Tibbits fund and build an opera house in response to pressure from local newspapers. Each man raised $8,000 for the venture, but Lewis soon backed down.[3] Tibbits forged ahead alone, saying he would "build an opera house if it 'bust' my factory", referring to his cigar business in town.[4]
Tibbits was described by Dennis Vanes, who later owned the opera house, as "the greatest 'pusher' in Michigan" adding that "Mr. Tibbits was a hustler by nature, broad minded and liberal and always ready to help the needy and suffering. He was outspoken in his sentiments and sometimes gave offense where none was intended."[5]
Before OCD opened in 1973 there were two dispatch centers for the LAFD. Westlake, located in McArthur Park handled all of the alarm boxes and radio dispatch from the L.A. basin to the harbor.
Coldwater Dispatch was located at Fire Station 108 On Mulholland Dr. and Coldwater Canyon Dr. It dispatched companies located in the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles using the callsign "Coldwater"
After OCD opened, Coldwater was retained as a backup dispatch center. In Feb. 2012 Metro Fire Communications opened at the new Fire Station 4 using the callsign "Metro" or "MFC". OCD was retained as a backup and Coldwater will be permanently shut down.
Before OCD opened in 1973 there were two dispatch centers for the LAFD. Westlake, located in McArthur Park handled all of the alarm boxes and radio dispatch from the L.A. basin to the harbor.
Coldwater Dispatch was located at Fire Station 108 On Mulholland Dr. and Coldwater Canyon Dr. It dispatched companies located in the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles using the callsign "Coldwater"
After OCD opened, Coldwater was retained as a backup dispatch center. In Feb. 2012 Metro Fire Communications opened at the new Fire Station 4 using the callsign "Metro" or "MFC". OCD was retained as a backup and Coldwater will be permanently shut down.