History of the Strong City Opera House
(a.k.a. The 1900 Theater, Music Hall & the Strong City Auditorium)
January 5, 1900
About twenty citizens of Strong met at the Commercial House Thursday night to discuss the question of building an opera house on the stock company plan. Much enthusiasm was manifested, and a temporary organization was elected. It begins to look as though, at last, Strong City will have an opera house. It is estimated that the building desired will cost about $4,000, and this will give Strong City an opera house that will draw better attractions than can be obtained by the average town of its size. The need of a good opera house has long been conceded by nearly all of the residents of Strong, and this city has been at a great disadvantage on account of the lack of it. Good men comprise the committees and they will work energetically to accomplish the purpose.
March 1, 1900
The proposed Strong City Opera House will be built north of Dave Biggam’s residence. The basement will be arranged for a ballroom. The Auditorium, on the second floor, will have an inclined floor seated with opera chairs. The building will be stone, 50 x 80 ft., est. cost $8,000.00. Construction funds were raised by the sale of shares at $10 each.
May 17, 1900
Work on the Strong City auditorium (Opera House) began last week, contract given to P.J. Norton and Rettiger Brothers, stone masons. (David Rettiger was a major participant in the development of the Opera House. Starting in 1900, construction was completed in 1901 for the Strong City Musical and Literary Association.)
April 19, 1901
The Opera House’s grand opening featured the entertainment of the Modoc Club, a nationally known men’s chorus, and Marshall’s Civic Band from Topeka. (NOTE: The Marshall’s Civic Band has been performing since 1884 and still operates today.) The Santa Fe Railroad offered special fares from Abilene and Topeka for people who wanted to attend this big event.
Sept. 12, 1901
The singers of Cottonwood Falls are rehearsing every night, “Patience,” one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most popular productions, which will be presented in the Music Hall.
June 12, 1902
The auditorium dance floor was flooded, the water was immediately swept out with no bad effect.
November 1902
Following a European tour, the world renown John Philip Sousa Band, performed at the Strong City Opera House. Reserved seat admission $1.00, general admission 75 cents. (It was rumored that the Sousa Band bypassed Emporia on the train to play in Strong City which miffed well known newspaper editor and writer, William Allen White. A resident of Emporia, White felt his community was much more refined than Strong City and Sousa should have played there instead.)
November 26, 1903
L.W. Martin’s production of Ten Nights in a Bar-Room was held at the Strong City Auditorium and was very well rendered.
August 18, 1904
Ralph Hoover, 22 years old, who was for the past year a baggage master was drowned in the Cottonwood River just west of Strong City. He was an accomplished musician and took great interest in training the Auditorium Band of which he was the director.
April 4, 1905
A vote for bonds carries more than 3 to 1 on the $5,0000.00 bonds issue in Strong City for the Purchase of the Auditorium. It will be run by the city.
July 6, 1906
The bonds voted by Strong City for the purchase of the auditorium have been sold through Madden & Doolittle of Kansas City.
October 16, 1906
The Strong City auditorium has changed management with Chas. Harden having leased the building. A skating rink is in the basement.
November 9, 1906
Chas. Harden has installed an electric piano in the basement of the auditorium for the benefit of the roller skaters.
November 23, 1911
Manager Taylor, of the Opera House, has secured an attraction that will convince the patrons of the Opera House that he is endeavoring to give them something out of the ordinary It is “Casay Jones,” one of the Neff & Pennington attractions, and unanimously endorsed by the press and the public as the greatest comedy hit of the season.
January 20, 1920
The Christmas tree program given at the Strong City Auditorium by the Catholics of St. Anthony church was an unusually pretty affair.
February 23, 1921
Richard/Walton Fully presents the greatest Hawaiian Love Play at the Strong City Auditorium. There are thirty-five people in the cast. Prices 75 cents up to $2.00, plus tax, seat sale at the Rexall Drug Store, Strong City.
June 27, 1921
The Strong City Auditorium is getting a complete overhauling. The seats are being renovated, the floor reinforced and repaired. Both upstairs and downstairs are getting a good cleaning and fixing.
October 16, 1923
It is believed that the Klu Klux Klan in Strong City means to indulge in “crashing the gate” and hold its KKK meeting in the city auditorium. (ends up being held at the baseball field)
March 23, 1927
“The Womanless Wedding” put on at the Strong City Auditorium and at the city school has been a great success. The cast was made up of more than seventy men of Strong City, Cottonwood Falls and the vicinity
June19, 1929
The “Womanless Divorce” the sequel of the play the “Womanless Wedding” given here two years ago came off with record attendance.
August 31, 1932
10 cent shows will start at the Uptown Theatre in Strong City on Monday and Tuesday weekly.
June 23, 1937
Chas. Lancaster, owner of the Uptown and Lyric Theatres in Strong City and Cottonwood Falls has just announced that he is improving the sound system in both theatres.
December 10, 1952
New Years dance at Strong City Auditorium by Rhythairs – Admission 75 cents per person.
July 14, 1954
An air cooler is being installed at the uptown Theatre in Strong City.
September 5, 1974
Dudley Doolittle announces he will reopen the Uptown Theatre in Strong City for weekend showings, Saturday & Sunday nights.
January 11, 1978
Uptown Theatre – Now showing “Grease” is the word. John Travolta & Olivia Newton John star in it.
May 30, 1991
Without stronger community support the Uptown theatre in Strong City days are likely numbered.
Fall 2000
The entire roof of the Uptown Theater caved in, destroying most of the interior.
2002
The Strong City Preservation Alliance (S.C.P.A.) was formed to oversee and fund the restoration of this historic building.
(These excerpts are from local newspapers dated 1900 to 1991. The comments in italics are from local residents.)