Washington Opera House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Washington Opera House
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Front of the building in 2010
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | 116 W. 2nd St., Maysville, Kentucky |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1898 |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000805 |
| Added to NRHP | June 11, 1975 |
The Washington Opera House is a historic building in Maysville, Kentucky. It stands two and a half stories tall. You can find it near the western part of the main shopping area downtown.
The building has red brick on its sides and back. The front, called the façade, is made of lighter-colored brick. It also has decorations of red brick, stone, and cast iron.
A Look at the Opera House's History
Theater performances have a long history in Mason County, Kentucky. Records show plays happening as early as 1797. One newspaper, The Mirror, mentioned a show at the "Court House." This was one of the first times play titles and ticket prices were recorded west of the Allegheny Mountains.
By 1817, a theater was already open in Limestone, which is now Maysville. It was located at the corner of 2nd Street and Fish Street (now Wall Street).
Fires and Rebuilding Efforts
In April 1850, a big fire caused a lot of damage on West Second Street. It destroyed many buildings, including the Presbyterian Church. This church was known as the Old Blue Church. After the fire, the church decided to rebuild on Third Street. This left the land on Second Street empty.
In 1851, two fire companies were started. Their goal was to help prevent another big town fire. An elegant theater, called "The Opera House," was then built on the spot where the Old Blue Church used to be.
The Washington Opera House Rises Again
In 1898, fire struck again, and "The Opera House" was destroyed. The Washington Fire Company, which had been formed almost 50 years earlier, decided to help. They rebuilt the theater for $24,000. After this, the new building became known as the "Washington Opera House."
Many famous performers have appeared at the Washington Opera House. These include actors like Marguerite Clark and Tom Mix. Even the famous boxer John L. Sullivan performed there. The well-known bandleader John Philip Sousa also brought his band to the stage.
Today, the Washington Opera House continues to be a theater. It is currently the home of the Maysville Players, a local theater group.
