The Strong City Opera House Restoration

“There may have been a time when preservation was about
saving an old building here or there, but those days are gone.
Preservation is in the business of saving communities and the values they embody.”
Richard Moe, National Trust for Historic Preservation

The interest in Chase County and the Flint Hills Region continues to grow. The Flint Hills is a destination for a multitude of visitors interested in the unique tallgrass prairie. Preserving and utilizing historic buildings to enhance existing economic development and encouraging new enterprises is important for the area economy.

Strong City, which sits in the center of Chase County, is on the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. Chase County has been home to unique cultural and community events ranging from the Flint Hills Rodeo to hosting the Kansas City Symphony at the Symphony in the Flint Hills. Chase County has one public school providing a full line up of sports, music and vocal programs and other activities for their students. Ranching has a long history in Chase County as confirmed by the fact there’s more cattle than people in the county. The Strong City Opera House is in the center of Chase County with access to major Kansas highways, the internet and other modern necessities.

The Strong City Opera House is an important historic structure and designated as a Kansas Historic Landmark. It was in active use for nearly a century, hosting a wide variety of events, featuring everything from musicals, plays featuring touring companies and local groups, wrestling events, dances, roller skating, and movies to name a few. Many area residents still remember attending these events over the years.

The Strong City Opera House had become a movie theater in the 1980s when it was closed and sold to a private owner. It fell into disrepair and then the roof partially collapsed in 1993. The building was condemned in 1999 and the owner agreed to sell it to the city. Shortly after the city of Strong City acquired the building, the roof totally collapsed in 2000, destroying the second floor and balcony. Even in the state of disrepair, community leaders saw value in the building for the community. As interest in restoring it grew, the Strong City Preservation Alliance (SCPA) was formed in 2002.

Funded in part by a Kansas Department of Transportation grant, a new roof, masonry repairs and wall bracing enabled the SCPA to begin the process of rebuilding the beloved building as a gift for the community. The SCPA believes that the Opera House will be of significant benefit to the city, county and local area, available for use by non-profits, the county school, churches, families, classes and many more. This group of volunteers are committed to the restoration and rehabilitation of this historic and cultural gem.

Restoration to Date

Since 2002, SCPA volunteers have diligently worked writing grants and fundraising for the preservation of the Opera House and have accomplished the following:

  • Stabilized walls
  • Initial clean out from the roof collapse
  • Funded a new roof
  • Cleaned debris from the east end. (Volunteers sifted through debris and saved many relics from the Uptown Theater.)
  • Purchased a sound system, tables and chairs, then built a secure storage room to allow volunteers to show movies as a fundraiser. (Thanks to a grant from the Trusler Foundation.)
  • Installed a bathroom. (Thanks to a grant from the Chase Couty Community Fund.)
  • Re-installed the “Uptown” neon sign. (Thanks to a grant from the We Kan Project.)
  • Completed the lobby restoration. (Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Trust Fund.)