Built 1891 Opened 1891 | NRHP Reference # 95001317 Added to NRHP 22 November 1995 | |
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Location 414 Elm St.
Eldon, Iowa Similar First National Bank, Eldon Public Library, Ottumwa City Hall, B'nai Jacob Synagogue, Mars Hill | ||
Mchaffey opera house to hold annual christmas tree wonderland
The McHaffey Opera House is an historic structure located in Eldon, Iowa, United States. It was constructed in 1891 and in use by the community through the 1940s. The building was mainly unused for many decades until a volunteer community group bought the opera house in 1995 and began restoration efforts. The McHaffey Opera House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in November, 1995.
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The mchaffey opera house in eldon iowa feb 2012
History
Irish immigrant David McHaffey was the proprietor of a brickyard in Eldon when, in 1891, he constructed the opera house using bricks from his business. With Eldon being on a main rail line, the McHaffey Opera House was able to secure a place on the "New York Circuit", bringing in traveling theatre troupes presenting the latest Broadway plays as well as Shakespearean classics, and vaudeville acts. Other uses included local talent shows, political rallies, and high school graduation ceremonies. For a time, in the early 1900s through the 1920s McHaffey Opera House was even used for basketball games.
With the advent of motion pictures, a projectionist booth was added to the McHaffey to show silent films. As "talkies" came along to enormous popularity in the late 1920s sound capability was added to the Opera House. The last high school graduation ceremony was held at the McHaffey Opera House in 1941. By the 1940s Eldon had another outlet for movies leaving the McHaffey unused for that purpose. However flooding in 1947 damaged the newer theater, granting the Opera House one last chance to briefly show movies. Following that temporary reprieve the McHaffey Opera House went into a long period of dormancy, seldom used except for storage.
Rebirth
In 1995 a non-profit corporation of community volunteers formed to save and restore the McHaffey to usefulness after it sat vacant for nearly five decades. The restoration has been funded by some grants but largely by community efforts such as a thrift shop and yearly calendar sales. All of the original flooring has been restored and some of the original seating has been retained. Most of the walls have been renovated and repainted as well. A new heating and air conditioning system has been installed and the roof repaired to prevent further water damage that occurred during the McHaffey's years of disuse. Modern improvements include the installation of a handicap-accessible elevator. A popular annual event in southeast Iowa is the Christmas Tree Wonderland held on the main floor of the McHaffey. Over 75 festive decorated trees are on display through the holiday season. The next phase of the restoration involves painting the walls that flank the main stage. Eventual plans are to bring back live theater performances and also establish a museum in a portion of the building. The stage came to life once again on the evening of May 14, 2013 with the Cardinal Community School Districts "Parade of Bands" featuring the 5th grade, Middle School and High School Bands. A crowd of over two hundred filled the theater for the performances. The even was also financially beneficial to the McHaffey as Cardinal school employees donated $300 for continued restoration efforts.