Our Past Is Present August 7, 2018

August 7, 2018

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society. The information in today’s story was taken from a 1978 “Junction City Union” newspaper.

            "During the Depression, the Opera House was one of the better stage houses in the country," stated Roy Clewell.  He also stated that “about once a month an acting troupe, traveling by train from coast to coast, would stop in Junction City to give a two or three night performance.  Top rate professional actors traveled with their props and costumes and put on full productions of musicals, dramas and a little bit of everything.” Mr.  Clewell remembered a performance he saw of “Abbies Irish Rose”, starring George Brent, who was an outstanding leading actor in his day.

            Joe McCormick, recalled his early high school days when he sometimes got into shows as compensation for sweeping the steps to the Opera House.  He also remembered seeing shows by Ted North and the North Players.  Admission charge was 15 cents, so almost everybody could attend the shows. 

            Glenn White recalled watching wrestling matches at the Opera House during the mid and late 1920’s. He stated that “Joe Zobisko, a heavy weight champion Tony Ross, a professional wrestler from Wakefield competed at the Opera House.  The admission charge was one dollar per person. 

            Live entertainment was a lucrative business according to Roy Clewell.  The Opera House backers preferred to book stage shows rather than let townsfolk use the building for a fee as a community center.  So in 1935, the Municipal Building was started to serve as a community center.  R.B. White and his sons, Norman, Glenn and Ralph were contracted to build the new Municipal Building.

            And…. that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.