Washington Opera House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Washington Opera House
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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 cool building in Maysville, Kentucky. It has two and a half floors. The back and sides are made of red brick. The front looks different, with light-colored bricks, stone, and metal decorations. It is located near the main shopping area in downtown Maysville.
A Long History of Shows
People have loved theater in Mason County for a very long time! Records show that plays were happening as early as 1797. One newspaper, The Mirror, even wrote about a show at the "Court House" in Washington, Kentucky. This was one of the first times anyone west of the Allegheny Mountains wrote down what plays were performed, when, and how much tickets cost. By 1817, Maysville (which was called Limestone back then) already had its own theater. It was located on 2nd Street.
Fires and Rebuilding
In April 1850, a big fire caused a lot of damage on West Second Street. It destroyed many buildings, including a church called the Old Blue Church. The church decided to rebuild somewhere else. This left the land on Second Street empty.
In 1851, people in town started two special groups to help fight fires. They wanted to make sure a big fire like that wouldn't happen again. After the fire, a beautiful new theater was built on the spot where the Old Blue Church used to be. People called it "The Opera House."
But in 1898, fire struck again! "The Opera House" was destroyed. A fire company, which had been formed almost 50 years earlier, decided to help. They spent $24,000 to rebuild the theater. This new building was then named the "Washington Opera House."
Famous Performers
Many famous artists and actors have performed at the Washington Opera House. Some well-known names include Marguerite Clark, who was a popular silent film actress. The famous cowboy actor Tom Mix also performed there. Even the strong boxer John L. Sullivan made an appearance. And the legendary bandleader John Philip Sousa brought his band to play their music.
Today, the Washington Opera House is still a theater. It is now home to a local group called the Maysville Players. They continue the tradition of live performances in this historic building.
