Henry Opera House
Huntsville, Walker County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built in 1880 as lodge hall. First floor soon became a dry goods and grocery store, and second was made into a fine theater by owner, John Henry (1828-97). Here traveling troupes played Shakespeare and dramas of the times. Famous magician Hermann the Great made Texas debut here; and Blind Tom, self-taught Negro piano virtuoso, once performed on this stage. After period as skating rink, opera house showed first motion picture in the city, about 1909. But with building of new theater, it closed and came again to be used for offices and stores.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1880 as a lodge hall, John Henry's building soon housed a store below and a fine theater above, where touring companies staged Shakespeare and the popular dramas of the day. The famed magician Hermann the Great made his Texas debut here, and the celebrated blind Black pianist known as Blind Tom once performed on its stage; the hall later showed Huntsville's first motion picture around 1909.
Why it matters
Small-town opera houses like this one carried live theater, music, and eventually film to communities far from the big cities, shaping the cultural life of the American interior.
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Related people
- · John Henry
- · Hermann the Great
- · Blind Tom
Themes & tags
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