Our Past Is Present October 2, 2018

October 2, 2018

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

            Remember the Opera House caught fire in January of 1898.  Efforts were made to get the building cleaned up, restored and re-opened in October of that same year.  We found an article in the “Junction City Sentinel” newspaper dated October 14, 1898 that stated: “ T.W. Dorn, Manager and G.W. Porter, electrician had a force working like tigers the past week to get the new opera house in first class order for the opening play Thursday evening.

            At 7:30 Wednesday evening, the lights were turned on and everyone promptly gave out its brilliancy.  This is very remarkable and shows marked accuracy and genius in the electrician when taking into consideration the number of feet of wire and lights.  Ten thousand feet of wire was used and supports 350 lights distributed judiciously throughout the building.

            G.W. Porter, the gentleman who has the contract for wiring the opera house, has the praise of all for the excellent work he did.  The wires do not come in contact with any wood.  All of the wires pass through porcelain tubes, making the system absolutely safe.   Mr. Porter says the system in the opera house is wired heavy enough to carry at least one third more lights if desired.  He also stated that Junction City can boast of having one of the prettiest, most convenient and substantial opera houses of its size in the United States.

            Among the many brilliant features is a sign, suspended from the dome facing east with the words “Opera House”, which is lit with 100 lights.  Mr. Dorn is pleased with the electric system and the opera house in general.  He is sparing no pains to provide scenery, curtains and other fixtures to correspond.”

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