Our Past Is Present April 10, 2018

April 10, 2018

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            We have been reserving time on Tuesdays to share information about the Opera House.  We have had stories about the original building, the process of restoring the Opera House and in future programs will share information about some of the early shows, the transformation to a movie theater and then back to the current building as “The Gem On The Prairie”.  We want to encourage you to take a tour or enjoy one of the upcoming performances at the C.L. Hoover Opera House located at Seventh and Jefferson Streets in Junction City. 

            Well, today’s story is about talented performers from Camp Funston on Fort Riley, who appeared at the Opera House in 1919. In anticipation of the performance this article appeared in the local newspaper on February 4, 1919.  “There is a certain barracks at Camp Funston which for some weeks has heard the steady hum of busy workers.  It is the building which houses the dramatic department where the preparations have been made for the big minstrel show, which the boys are to give at the opera house tomorrow evening.

            The musical part of the program has been placed in the very capable hands of Charles T. North, who has kept the boys busy rehearsing for the past few weeks that Junction City may have a real musical treat.  Musician Truman Lord of the Sixty-ninth band has arranged all orchestrations for the “Khaki Minstrels.”

            The cast of thirty-five, which is to present the minstrel, is composed entirely of Camp Funston soldiers, many of whom in civilian life are professional entertainers and theatrical men.  These soldiers, during the past six months have out of the kindness of their hearts, come to Junction City time and again and given entertainment for the people here without any remuneration whatsoever.  And now on the eve of their discharge from the Army, the camp dramatic director, Henry W. Pemberton, has arranged to have this big show at the Opera House.  The entire proceeds are to be given to these boys for the dramatic department who have worked so loyally during the past months.”  

            The C.L. Hoover Opera House and the Junction City Little Theater have some great shows in the next few months.  Check them out.  You can see professional as well as local talent on the stage and not even have to leave town to do so. 

            Thanks for reading today and every Monday through Friday at about this time for “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.