Our Past Is Present September 25, 2018

September 25, 2018

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

            The headline in the January 21, 1898 “Junction City Republican” newspaper was “Destroyed By Fire – Junction City Is Now Without A City Hall And Opera House”.

            This a what the author wrote:  “Junction City’s Opera House was totally destroyed by fire Friday evening, January 21.  The building cost in the neighborhood of $30,000 according to J.B. Callen, City Clerk.

            The building was erected in 1881 and was formally opened to the public on January 5, 1882.  Judge Humphrey delivered the dedicatory address, which was followed by the dramatic club in the Spanish drama “Miralda”.  A.L. Barnes was the first manager of the Opera House.  He was succeeded by William Lockstone, City Clerk and he by A.P. Trott.  Mr. Trott was succeeded by T.W. Dorn, who was the manager at the time of the fire.

            A number of supposed causes have been given for the fire, but the true reason will probably never be known.  The building was insured for $10,000.

            By diligence and hard work the fire company succeeded in keeping the flames confined to the city building and no damage was done to adjacent properties.  The rain during the day and the heavy fall of snow during the progress of the fire assisted materially in preserving of the property, which under less favorable circumstances would have been destroyed.

            Some of the buildings nearby that could have been affected included property owned by W.W. Hicks, J.J. and W.F. Muenzenmayer, the White Lumber Company and the residence of Thomas Dixon. 

            The fire department deserved much praise for the way they handled the fire.  It was generally believed the building was unsafe and the heavy slate roof had so weakened the walls that it was dangerous to enter the building.  The department took many chances and its members escaped all injury.  A portion of the east wall fell out, as did a portion of the west and south walls.  The front of the building was left standing.

            The Opera House was rebuilt, restored and opened in October of that same year.

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