Fife Opera House - Palestine, IL
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 39° 00.120 W 087° 36.778
16S E 446923 N 4317177
Hardware store below, Opera House above. Mr. Fife provided a lot at the in early 20th Century.
Waymark Code: WMZG30
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 11/06/2018
Views: 0
County of site: Crawford County
Location of site: 123--125 S. Main St. , Palestine
Historic marker on site
Marker erected by: The Pioneer City, Jr. Historian Club
Date marker erected: 1989
Marker text THE FIFE OPERA HOUSEThe Fife Opera House, located on the second floor of the Fife Hardware Store, was built by David Fife. It operated from 1901-1912. It seated 700 people on red leather seats, had electric fans and was heated with a coal furnace. There were five sets of scenery, some of which are still visible today. Such entertainments as local talent shows, stock theatrical companies, band concerts, a lyceum series, special speakers, and commencements drew crowds from Hutsonville, Robinson, Flat Rock and Merom. Today the echoes of past performances remain from yesteryear.