Corning Opera House

ACT I

In 1886, the corner of 8th and Davis Avenue bustled with activity when it housed the National Bank, a general merchandise store and a photo gallery. Its location across from Central Park overlooked the rest of the business district. Then a fire swept through the core of the business district and destroyed the bank building as well as a good portion of the businesses south of 8th Street. The site then sat empty for five years. Recognizing the need for adequate venues for entertainment, local businessman, Frederick Charles Reese, dedicated himself to providing the community with an opera house. In 1901, he chose the location and built in 1902. The building incorporated remnants of its burned out predecessor. Using the footprint of the National Bank, the new building hadOpera House a raised basement and a cut-corner entrance. A commercial establishment was to occupy the first floor, while the upper story was intended for the Opera House. The Corning Opera House functioned solely as a live stage theater until at least 1914. By 1921, it had become a movie theater with occasional live performances. The last known production staged at the Opera House was Blue Heaven directed by Milo Green in 1934. Ticket prices were typical of the region and time, 25, 35 and 50 cents. The 724-seat house had a proscenium arch, a 28-foot stage, wing and drop scenery and was illuminated by electricity.

ACT II

Today, we are restoring this grand building and soon, the sounds of singing, music, laughter and applause will once again echo in our downtown. To date we have installed windows, an elevator from the basement to the second floor; reinforced the basement, leveled the first floor with gypcrete, and have placed studs for our walls on the first & second floors! The progress is amazing for $500,000! On August 16, 2010, we received a $1.5 million Main Street Iowa grant. We are in the planning stages on how to proceed & line up contractors. It’s very exciting & challenging work!