Mt. Horeb Opera Block - Mt. Horeb, WI - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

From the Wisconsin Historical Society web site (visit link) :
"The massive, three-story, brick Mt. Horeb Opera Block dominates the streetscape of downtown Mt. Horeb. Its eye-catching corner tower is a trademark feature of its Queen Anne Style. Other noteworthy details include the decorative brick panels, and arcaded storefront, comprised of a series of brick arches.

The Mt. Horeb Opera Block Company, which constructed the building, rented the property to a manager who was responsible for the public use of the block. Operating as a community center, the opera house served many functions including performances by theatrical troupes, dances, political rallies, home talent shows, minstrel shows, and, after 1907, silent movies. Talent in these shows included both local and regional groups. Although it appears that the number of plays presented at the opera house diminished quickly, the building managers continued to engage concert bands until the time of its closing in 1922.

Like most opera houses, the building housed a wide-variety of community activities, including semi-private parties, illustrated lectures, high school commencement exercises until 1918, school plays, basketball games, speeches by members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and political speeches. After the local high school burned in 1917, some of the classes met here while the new high school was built. By 1922, competition from other buildings led to the demise of this building as a center for public events, but it continued as the home of the local Masonic Lodge."

Street address: 109-117 E Main St Mt. Horeb, WI USA 53572 County / Borough / Parish: Dane Year listed: 1989 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering: Architect, builder, or engineer: Gordon & Paunack: Style: Queen Anne, Romanesque Periods of significance: 1875-1899, 1900-1924, 1925-1949 Historic function: Commerce/Trade, Government, Health Care, Recreation And Culture, Social: Auditorium, Business, Meeting Hall, Post Office, Restaurant Current function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic, Health Care: Business, Medical Business/Office, Multiple Dwelling Privately owned?: yes Hours of operation: From: 10:00 AM To: 5:00 PM Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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