Opera House

415 A Avenue,
Vinton, IA 52349

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Additional Info

Previous Names: Crescent Opera House

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Opera House

The Crescent Opera House was built sometime between 1885 and 1892, a simple wooden structure of two stories. In competition with the existing Watson Opera House one block north, it was not a success, and by 1899 the building was used as an armory.

Sometime between 1906 and 1913, the armory was moved the old Watson Opera House, which was a more substantial structure, and this building once more became an opera house. It does not appear that the Watson name moved to this location. By at least 1914-15, movies were being shown.

It seems that this incarnation of the Opera House was no more successful than previously. A large purpose built cinema was constructed downtown in 1915, and the 1921 map shows this used as a billiard hall and bowling alley. The 1941 map shows a small wooden gas station on this corner, and today an undistinguished little office building is located here.

Contributed by Seth Gaines

Recent comments (view all 1 comments)

SethG
SethG on January 21, 2025 at 8:22 pm

The historical address was on Beckett, but the street name was changed by 1921. The 1914-15 directory also lists an Electric, but I do not see anything on the September 1913 map, so I have no idea where it was.

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