Perkins Opera House - Monticello, FL
N 30° 32.703 W 083° 52.239
17R E 224601 N 3382691
The Perkins Opera House, also known as the Monticello Opera House, was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on September 14, 1972. It is believed to be haunted by John H. Perkins who built the opera house in 1890.
Waymark Code: WMBW19
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 06/25/2011
Views: 3
"Built in 1890 by Monticello businessman John H. Perkins, the Perkins Opera House once boasted the largest stage in the region and was famous for its acoustics. It was part of what became known as The Perkins Block, a mixed-use building which included a general store, sewing machine shop and a hardware store on the first floor. The music hall was part of the elegant second floor.
Mr. Perkins dreamed of establishing the opera house as a major theater, and for several years, professional touring groups and local productions both graced his stage. Unfortunately, the local railroads were re-routed shortly after the turn of the century. Afterward, the theater lost the patronage of the wealthy families who had once wintered in the area.
It is said that Mr. Perkins haunts the stage of his opera house, which was saved from the wrecker's ball by a handful of local residents. They formed a fundraising organization, solicited grants from the state of Florida and received a generous gift from Mrs. Dorothy Simpson, who held a one-half interest in the building. Since then, performers have returned to the Perkins Opera House, and the national historic designation was received in 1977."
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