Woodland Opera House facts for kids
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Woodland Opera House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Facing the entrance of the building from the plaza.
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 340 2nd Street Woodland, California |
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| Built | 1885; 1895–1896 |
| Architect | Thomas J. Welsh |
| Architectural style | 19th Century American Playhouse |
| Part of | Downtown Woodland Historic District (ID99000471) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000212 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 5, 1971 |
| Designated CP | June 22, 1999 |
The Woodland Opera House is a special old theater in Woodland, California. It's one of only four opera houses from the 1800s in California that are still used today! It's also recognized as a California Historical Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical building.
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History of the Opera House
The Woodland Opera House was first designed in 1885. A famous architect from San Francisco, Thomas J. Welsh, created the plans. It cost $28,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! This was the very first opera house in the Sacramento Valley. William Henry Curson, a local builder, constructed the theater.
In July 1892, a big fire started nearby. It spread and destroyed much of downtown Woodland, including the Opera House. People weren't sure if it would ever be rebuilt. But a local businessman, David N. Hershey, bought the land. Other business owners helped him, and the Opera House was rebuilt.
The new building was finished between 1895 and 1896. It cost $8,990 this time. They even used some of the old walls and materials from the first building. By 1913, over 300 different traveling shows had performed there. The Woodland Opera House became a popular place for entertainment in the area. However, it closed that same year. Ticket sales went down, and the theater lost a lawsuit after someone got hurt.
Bringing the Opera House Back to Life
The Opera House stayed closed for almost 60 years. Then, in 1971, the Yolo County Historical Society bought it for $12,000. Many people in the community helped raise money. Donations came from local groups and government agencies, including the City of Woodland. Soon, the restoration work began.
In 1976, the building was named a state historic park. It was given to the State of California in 1980. The Opera House finally reopened in 1989 after a huge $2,000,000 restoration project. More work continued for the next nine years.
Gary Worth, an architect from Woodland, led the restoration. Special materials like antique wallpaper, lighting, and paint colors were used. The building was made safe and "earthquake proof." New features like central heating, air-conditioning, and a sprinkler system were added. It also became accessible for people with disabilities.
A new annex building was built next to the Opera House. This annex holds mechanical equipment and offices. It also has a gift shop, a lounge, and an outdoor deck on the roof. The amazing work on the inside of the theater won awards from preservation groups.
In 1990, the Woodland Rotary Club helped add a grassy area called "Rotary Court." This area is part of the outdoor plaza, which is named Intermission Garden. A brick sign and entrance for the Intermission Garden were also added that same year.
How the Opera House Looks
The Woodland Opera House you see today is a simple building made of red brick. It has two stories. The building is about 104 feet long and 60 feet wide. Its walls are very thick, about 20 inches! There used to be a tall stage house on the north end, but it was destroyed by fire in the 1930s. The building shares a wall with the building next to it on the west side.
The inside of the Opera House looks like playhouses from the 1800s. The stage has a typical proscenium arch, which is like a frame around the stage. The seating area is shaped like a horseshoe balcony with a large section for the audience on the main floor. This design is similar to old Italian Renaissance-style theaters.
Performances and Shows
The Opera House hosts many mainstage shows from September to June each year. They also have a summer youth theater camp in August. A Young People's Theatre Program runs throughout the year, teaching kids about theater. Many concerts are held there too. Each show usually runs for 2 to 5 weekends.
The theater also works with the Yolo County Office of Education. This allows students to get very low-priced tickets for special school-day performances.
Many famous performers have appeared on the Woodland Opera House stage. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, stars like Nance O'Neil, James A. Herne, Harry Davenport, Madame Helena Modjeska, and John Philip Sousa with his band performed there. Comedians Weber and Fields also entertained audiences. Even famous boxers like "Gentleman Jim" Corbett and John L. Sullivan made appearances. Later, rising movie stars such as Sydney Greenstreet, Walter Huston, and Verna Felton performed on its stage.
Besides plays and dramas, the Opera House is used for many other events. You can see music performances, comedians, and sometimes even weddings!
See also
