January 16, 2018
This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
Today’s
story is another in the series of stories in honor of the C.L. Hoover Opera
House’s 120th anniversary this year. We are reserving Tuesdays for
these special stories. In today’s program we are listing some of the people and
events of the early days of the opera house.
We have
mentioned last Tuesday that the Opera House was originally completed in 1882
and was named the Blakely Opera House.
In 1890, a portion of the building was leased and managed by A.P. Trott,
who was a local photographer and man of many trades. In May of 1894, Thomas Dorn, then the
Junction City Clerk, became the manager.
A history of the Opera House was written by Mrs. F.H. Stout for the
“Women’s Edition” in the “Republic” newspaper.
In January of 1898 at 5:30 PM, the building caught fire.
Efforts began almost immediately to rebuild and renovate the building. In
September seats had arrived, molding for the ceiling installed, the Board of
Education room was taking shape, linoleum was installed on the floors and
Police Judge Nobel’s room was completed, the fire escape was installed, the new
bell for the City Hall was tapped for the first time and the clock was ready
for operation. Be listening next Tuesday for more on the history of our C.L.
Hoover Opera House. And… we hope you will visit the Opera House at the corner
of Seventh and Jefferson Streets for a tour or a show. Sheila, Joe or Danny would be glad to give you
a tour. Stop by or call 238-3906.
Remember, if you are a regular listener, but miss one
of our broadcasts, remember you can go to gearyhistory@blogspot.com and read
the daily scripts heard on KJCK. Geary
history and blogspot are each one word.
That’s our time together today on
“Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
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