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Draft:Aledo Opera House

Coordinates: 41°12′4″N 90°44′52″W / 41.20111°N 90.74778°W / 41.20111; -90.74778
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Aledo Opera House
Aledo Opera House
Aledo Opera House is located in Illinois
Aledo Opera House
Aledo Opera House is located in the United States
Aledo Opera House
Location108 SE 2nd Ave, Aledo, Illinois
Coordinates41°12′4″N 90°44′52″W / 41.20111°N 90.74778°W / 41.20111; -90.74778
Built1885
Architectural styleItalianate
NRHP reference No.16000328
Added to NRHPJune 7, 2016[1]

The Aledo Opera House, located in downtown Aledo, Illinois, is a historic entertainment venue with roots dating back to 1885. Originally constructed as the Aledo Roller Skating Rink, the building was converted into an opera house in 1904. Over its history, it has served as a hub for cultural, social, and entertainment events, including live theater, music, and cinema. In 2016, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the Downtown Aledo Historic District and is currently undergoing a major renovation to restore it as a multi-purpose venue.[2][3][4][5][6]

History

[edit]
A unique design in the hardwood flooring from a roller skating rink built in 1885 forms a sawtooth pattern where edges meet.
The hardwood flooring, originally installed for a roller skating rink from circa 1885, is unique as it was laid on edge and forms an ovular track.

Constructed in 1885, the building originally served as the Aledo Roller Skating Rink,[7] featuring distinctive hardwood flooring which is laid on edge.[8] The skating rink had early financial success, paying 27 percent dividends to investors in 1885.[9] However, by July 1886 the skating rink had been transformed into a lumber shed.[10] During this time, the citizens of the county would meet in Union Hall or the Aledo House. Union Hall was located on the second story of a downtown building. The location was considered unsuitable for a large crowd, partly due to the narrow staircase leading to the space.[11][12] Aledo House was a narrow three-story brick building which was deconstructed between 1893-1894 to make way for the construction of the Mercer County Courthouse.[12] In response to community demands for a safer, more accommodating gathering space, the building was renovated and reopened as an opera house in 1904, under the management of John W. Edwards, a Civil War veteran[13] and prominent local businessman.[14][15][16]

A decorative panel
An end cap to a row of seating which was likely installed in the theater around 1926 depicts two musicians.

The Aledo Opera House officially opened in February 1904 with a performance of Quincy Adams Sawyer by Charles Felton Pidgin which was attended by 775 patrons.[17] The venue's early years featured theatrical productions, vaudeville acts, and silent films, which led to the venue quickly becoming a community centerpiece.[18] The opera house experienced numerous challenges, including fires in 1907[19], 1925[20][21], and 1930[22][23][24], lightning strikes in 1926[25] and 1934[26], community debates about Sunday movie screenings in 1922[27], a break-in in 1935[28], and a loose goat in the auditorium in 1932[29]. The opera house was utilized as a gathering place for the community for events such as the Old Fiddlers' Contests,[30][31][32][33] roller-skating broomball games[34][35], dramatic presentations by the William & Vashti College, debates between local colleges, political speeches, dances, worship gatherings, and even educational classes. By 1913, the opera house began nightly showings of silent films, accompanied by live music and illustrated songs.[36][37][37] It later adapted to sound films ("talkies") in the late 1920s, continuing as a cinema for several decades before closing in 1972.[38][39][40][13][41][42][43][44][45][excessive citations]

From 1973 to present, the opera house has experienced a fluctuation of attendance and purpose, shaped by the dedication of individuals and the collective efforts of the community. After serving as a central venue for arts and entertainment for decades, the opera house faced challenges as shifting entertainment trends and urban development affected its viability.[AI-generated?][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][excessive citations] The Opera House Stage Company, a group of local volunteers who produced stage performances, was formed in 1990. Each winter, the group would produce a stage play, and each summer they would host a comedy revue called the Opera House Stage Revue. The stage revue would feature local performers, skits, and spoofs of local current events.[61][45][62][14][63] Beginning in 2023, efforts began to restore the building and once again revitalize it as a community hub for events and gatherings.[2][3][4][5][6]

Notable changes

[edit]
A large fan stands from floor to ceiling.
An 8 foot (2.4m) fan which was part of an evaporative cooling system installed in a theater around 1917.
  • In 1909, a movie projector was installed for the first time.[45]
  • In 1917, a cooling system was installed consisting of an 8 foot fan and a five horsepower motor.[64] The cooling system worked via evaporative cooling and featured a trough where water was sprayed onto a large block of ice.
  • In 1920, J. W. Edwards remodeled the entire front of the building with a wide entrance and restrooms. Interior and exterior were refinished and repainted.[65] Later that year, Edwards added a new sign board to the front of the building. The sign was made of wood and had several tin letters in order to announce the movie each night.[66]
  • In 1922, Edwards installed the first wireless radiophone in Aledo inside the theater. This technology allowed patrons to hear music and speeches given within a range of approximately 800 miles.[67]
  • In 1926, manager Les Trevor installed new seats and redecorated the interior.[68]
  • In 1931, inch-thick bulletproof glass was installed in the box office window.[69] This glass and the sheet steel surrounding box are still in place.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 6/06/16/ Through 6/10/16". National Park Service. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b Taylor, Jim; Albertson, WJ (2024-01-03). "Massive Overhaul Of Aledo Opera House Planned; Future Involves Multi-Purpose Facility". WRMJ Radio. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  3. ^ a b Taylor, Jim; Albertson, WJ (2024-01-08). "Major Excitement For Aledo Opera House Plans". WRMJ Radio. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  4. ^ a b Taylor, Jim; Hagloch, Chris (2024-03-14). "Aledo Opera House Project Begins In April". WRMJ Radio. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  5. ^ a b Taylor, Jim; Sipes, Nathan (2024-10-02). "Sipes To Lead Aledo Opera House". WRMJ Radio. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  6. ^ a b Taylor, Jim; Albertson, WJ (2024-11-12). "Opera House Project Taking Shape". WRMJ Radio. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  7. ^ Sanborn Map Company (1885). Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois (Map). p. 2.
  8. ^ Wildermuth, Brenda (1979). Illinois History. Vol. 33–35. Illinois State Historical Library.
  9. ^ "Neighboring Items". Macomb Journal. 1885-10-29.
  10. ^ "Clipped and Condensed from Our Exchanges". Oquawka Spectator. 1886-07-29.
  11. ^ "The need of an opera house in Aledo grows stronger". Times Record. 1891-10-15.
  12. ^ a b Sanborn Map Company (1885). Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois (Map). p. 1.
  13. ^ a b "J. W. Edwards, 86, War Veteran of Aledo, Is Dead". Davenport Daily Times. 1931-12-08.
  14. ^ a b Morris, Rebecca (1996-01-28). "Aledo Opera House: From dance hall to movie theater". The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus. pp. BB12.
  15. ^ The Cahn-Leighton Official Theatrical Guide. Publication Office, New Amsterdam Theatre Building. 1913. p. 157.
  16. ^ Hill, Gus (1914). Gus Hill's National Theatrical Directory. New York: Hill's National Theatrical Directory, Inc. p. 83.
  17. ^ "Opera House Opened". Aledo Democrat. 1904-03-01.
  18. ^ "The Two Orphans". Aledo Democrat. 1904-03-01.
  19. ^ "Men Save Opera House". Davenport Daily Times. 1907-10-15.
  20. ^ "Blaze Burns 8000 Feet of Films in Aledo Opera House". Seaton Independent. 1925-08-26.
  21. ^ "Blaze in Aledo Theatre Ruins Feature Movie". Rock Island Argus. 1925-08-26.
  22. ^ "Fire In Theater at Aledo; Crowd Makes Safe Exit". Davenport Daily Times. 1930-05-05.
  23. ^ "Fire At Aledo Show". Seaton Independent. 1930-05-08.
  24. ^ "Brief News and Comment; Film Stuck In the Projector". Henderson County Graphic Reporter. 1930-05-15.
  25. ^ "Opera House and C. W. Detwiler's Home Are Damaged". Davenport Daily Times. 1926-07-31.
  26. ^ "Gale Strikes Aledo Vicinity, Uproots Trees and Disrupts Operation of 400 Telephones". Rock Island Argus. 1934-07-16.
  27. ^ "Special Poll Mentioned on Sunday Movie; Ministers Ask for Report From Ordinance Committee at Council Meet". The Aledo Democrat. Vol. 46. 1922-10-05. pp. 1, 5.
  28. ^ "Robberies In Aledo". Davenport Daily Times. 1935-01-14.
  29. ^ "Aledo Pranksters Open Fire Plug; 100,000 Gallons of Water Escape". Rock Island Argus. 1932-11-01.
  30. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (1912-06-06). "Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, June 06, 1912, HOME EDITION, Image 2". p. 2. ISSN 2332-0680. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  31. ^ "Aledo; The Old Fiddlers' contest". Davenport Daily Times. 1912-06-07.
  32. ^ "The Aledo Cornet band will hold another old times fiddlers' contest". Rock Island Argus. 1913-05-02.
  33. ^ "Aledo; An old fiddlers' contest will be held". Rock Island Argus. 1915-04-26.
  34. ^ "Aledo; A game of broomball". Rock Island Argus. 1912-12-30.
  35. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (1913-01-29). "Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, January 29, 1913, HOME EDITION, Image 2". p. 2. ISSN 2332-0680. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  36. ^ Moving Picture World. Vol. 18. Chalmers Publishing Company. 1913-10-04. p. 748.
  37. ^ a b "Opera House Leased". Aledo Democrat. 1913-10-14.
  38. ^ Motion Picture Herald. Vol. 62. Quigley Publishing Company. 1923. p. 35.
  39. ^ "Aledo Theatre Property Sold by L. J. Trevor". Rock Island Argus. 1928-11-28.
  40. ^ The Billboard. Vol. 40. R.S. Littleford, Jr., W.D. Littleford. 1928. p. 49.
  41. ^ "Mercer County's only theatre has its 'last picture show'". Rock Island Argus. 1972-12-16.
  42. ^ Thomas, Clarence C. (1935). Official Directory of Mercer County, Illinois 1935: Directory of Farmers, Breeders, Business Firms, Town and Village Residents, Schools, Churches, Lodges and Officials. Supplementary Book of Township Plats Showing Ownership of Farms in Each Township of Mercer County. History of Mercer County and Names of Early Residents of Each Township. Times Record Company. pp. 22, 182, 319.
  43. ^ "Aledo Opera House is slated to be reopened". Rock Island Argus. 1973-08-21.
  44. ^ "Obituary information for Richard Edwards Maynard". www.nicholsbewley.com. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  45. ^ a b c Berenger, Pam (1992-06-07). "Opera house holds rich history". Moline Dispatch. pp. D1, D3.
  46. ^ "Noted Poor Attendance". The Liberty Advertiser. Vol. 4, no. 25. 1973-11-14. p. 1.
  47. ^ Brown, Craig (1986-12-05). "Aledo's movie theater closes after 82 years". Quad-City Times.
  48. ^ Carlson, Duaine (1986-12-01). "Aledo Opera House closing". Rock Island Argus.
  49. ^ Carlson, Duaine (1987-01-03). "Volunteers scraping up gum and support for reopening of the Aledo Opera House". Rock Island Argus.
  50. ^ Carlson, Duaine (1987-01-05). "Volunteers help re-open Aledo theater". The Daily Dispatch, Moline. p. 8.
  51. ^ Carlson, Duaine (1987-02-12). "Aledo Opera House ready to reopen tomorrow night". Rock Island Argus. p. 22.
  52. ^ Ascarelli, Miri (1988-02-22). "Dick Maynard finds theater's low attendance discouraging". Rock Island Argus.
  53. ^ Yadon, Kay (1997-07-14). "Theater flickers to a close". The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus. pp. C1.
  54. ^ Blackford, Robert (2002-05-08). "Aledo Opera House to re-open mid May". Oquawka Current.
  55. ^ "Cheers, Cheers & Cheers". The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus. 2016-12-10.
  56. ^ Turner, Jonathan (2017-01-05). "Historic movie theater reopens in Aledo". The Quad-City Times. pp. B4.
  57. ^ "Wanted: Talented Mercer County Residents". WRMJ Radio. 2017-05-30. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  58. ^ Taylor, Jim; Mellgren, Dan (2018-10-19). "Aledo Opera House Closing". WRMJ Radio. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  59. ^ Turner, Jonathan (2018-10-20). "Aledo Opera House closes; Future uncertain after nearly 2 years as movie theater". Moline Dispatch. pp. A3, A7.
  60. ^ Turner, Jonathan (2018-10-20). "Future uncertain for closed Aledo Opera House". The Quad-City Times.
  61. ^ "Aledo Opera House has grand opening". Quad-City Times. 1990-07-26.
  62. ^ Meanderings: Upper Mississippi River edition. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. 1992. p. 77.
  63. ^ "Aledo Opera House group to meet". Moline Dispatch. 1990-08-26.
  64. ^ "Installs Cooling System". Rock Island Argus. 1917-08-02.
  65. ^ "Old Opera House to Be Remodeled and Redecorated". Rock Island Argus. 1920-08-14.
  66. ^ "Edwards Has New Sign on Theatre". Argus Dispatch. 1920-12-07.
  67. ^ "Movie Fans to Have Concerts by Radiophone". Rock Island Argus. 1922-03-22.
  68. ^ "Aledo Opera House Being Remodeled". Rock Island Argus. 1926-09-22.
  69. ^ New Outlook. Vol. 158. Outlook Publishing Company. 1931. p. 374.
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