Holyoke Opera House

Holyoke Opera House
One of several logos associated with the opera house
The Holyoke Opera House as it appeared abandoned in May 1967
Map
Former namesWhiting Opera House
The Holyoke Theatre[a]
E. M. Loew's State Theatre[b]
The State
LocationHolyoke, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°12′24.152″N 72°36′20.336″W / 42.20670889°N 72.60564889°W / 42.20670889; -72.60564889
Capacity1050-1375[3][5]
Construction
Built1877
OpenedMarch 25, 1878[1]
Renovated1894[2]
Closed1955
Demolished1967
ArchitectClarence Sumner Luce[3]
J. B. McElfatrick & Sons[2][c]
BuilderWilliam Whiting II
General contractorCasper Ranger[4]

The Holyoke Opera House was a theatre operating in Holyoke, Massachusetts during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1877, and christened on March 25, 1878, the theater was built by then-mayor William Whiting who privately-funded its construction along with the adjoining "Windsor House" hotel. Designed by architect Clarence Sumner Luce, its interior was decorated by painter and designer Frank Hill Smith, who is best known today for the frescoes in the House of Representatives' chamber in the Massachusetts State House, and whose commission for the venue's main hall paintings has been described by the American Art Directory and historian John Tauranac as one of his definitive works.[6][7]

Its opening show was a performance of Louie XI starring John W. Albaugh.[1] In its first decades it was among the largest theaters in the country, and gained a number of notable acts. In later decades it became a vaudeville and burlesque establishment. Following the introduction of moving pictures, the opera house saw a steady decline and by the time the venue was purchased by E. M. Loew in 1945, The Film Daily described it as a "once-famous theater".[8] On October 29, 1967, the venue was destroyed in a multiple-alarm fire, with such damage that officials could not determine its cause.[9][10]


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  1. ^ a b Donoghue, Paul A. (May 21, 1967). "Holyoke Model Cities Program May Revive Old Opera House". Springfield Union. p. 69.
  2. ^ a b "Holyoke's Fine Opera House; The Interior of the Handsome Building, Which Was Opened so Successfully Last Week". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. September 23, 1894. p. 9.
  3. ^ a b "[Plans for the Holyoke Opera House]". American Architect and Building News. Boston: Houghton, Osgood, & Co. March 1, 1879. p. 70.
  4. ^ Holyoke Water Power Company v. City of Holyoke, VIII (MA Supreme Court 1900).
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  5. ^ "Holyoke Opera House [advertisement]". Julius Cahn's Official Theatrical Guide. New York: Julius Cahn. 1896.
  6. ^ American art directory, Volume 5., p. 123 New York: R.R. Bowker, 1905.
  7. ^ Tauranac, John (2018). Manhattan's Little Secrets: Uncovering Mysteries in Brick and Mortar, Glass. Globe Pequot. ISBN 9781493030484. One of his important interior-decoration commissions was for the Opera House in Holyoke, which might explain how he and the Dwights came to know each other
  8. ^ "Theater Deals- Holyoke Opera House Sold". The Film Daily. September 21, 1945. p. 15.
  9. ^ "Flames Sweep Former Holyoke Opera House". Springfield Union. Springfield, Massachusetts. October 30, 1967. p. 1.
  10. ^ "Wreckers to Pound Down Theater Shell". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. October 31, 1967. p. 17.