Oakhurst in Madera County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Gold Rush Entertainment Lives On
Photographed By Grub-Gulch Chapter 41-49
1. Gold Rush Entertainment Lives On Marker
Melodrama, a caberet style play with music, based on a hero, a heroine, and a villain, provided entertainment and escape from the harsh realities of the gold miner's lives. Troupes
of actors and musicians traveled from camp to
camp setting up canvas theaters to perform
their plays. Melodrama flourished in the mining
camps and became one of the staples of the miners social events. A venue that began in the heyday of the gold rush still exists today as line
melodrama. The Golden Chain Theater represents
entertainment of that bygone era, and opened with their first play, "The Drunkard” in July 1968 at the Oakhurst Community Center. They moved to this location which was the Snowline Bowling Alley in 1974. This is the oldest
continually running melodrama in California.Erected 2013 by Grub Gulch Chapter 41-49 E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1968.
Location. 37° 21.751′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bissett Station (approx. 0.8 miles away); Madera Sugar Pine Flume (approx. 1.3 miles away); Giant Sequoia Cutting (approx. 1.9 miles away); Little Church on the Hill (approx. 1.9 miles away); Oakhurst Centennial (approx. 2.3 miles away); Highway 49 - The Golden Chain (approx. 2.3 miles away); Old French Trail (approx. 2˝ miles away); Fresno Flats Townsite (approx. 2˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakhurst.
Photographed By Grub-Gulch Chapter 41-49
2. Gold Rush Entertainment Lives On Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2020, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 12, 2020. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the theater building. • Can you help?
