Dover in Strafford County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
Dover's City Hall and Opera House Burned
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019
1. Dover's City Hall and Opera House Burned Marker
Dover’s City Hall and Opera House burned at this location on August 3, 1933. The first two city halls, located at the corner of Washington Street and Central Avenue (where the Masonic Temple now stands) had also burned, respectively, in 1866 and 1889. The City Hall and Opera house was dedicated December 16, 1891 and cost $250,000 to build. It featured a floor that could be raised and lowered, a chandelier with 95 electric bulbs, three tiers of boxes with brass rails, velvet curtains with gold fringe, a frescoed ceiling and a cupid mural.
The Opera House had a seating capacity of 1,800 and was the largest stage in New Hampshire. Luminaries such as Jason Robards, Alfred Lunt, Shirley Booth and John Philip Sousa’s band graced the stage. The first full length movie shown here was “Birth of a Nation” starring Lillian Gish.
Erected 2015 by Faces of Dover, and Dover Main Street, Inc. (Marker Number 23.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is August 3, 1933.
Location. 43° 11.611′ N, 70° 52.492′ W. Marker is in Dover, New Hampshire, in Strafford County. Marker is on Hale Street west of Central
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dover NH Spanish American War Memorial/USS Maine Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Dover NH WWI Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Dover NH Civil War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central Square (about 500 feet away); Dover NH WWII Memorial (about 500 feet away); Central (Lower) Square (about 600 feet away); Maurice J. Burke Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early 19th Century Storefronts (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. City Hall and Theater Fire. Faces of Dover website entry:
Dover’s City Hall and Opera House burned at this location on August 3, 1933. (Submitted on July 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. 1933 Dover City Hall Destroyed. Greener Pastures website entry:
The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m. and at daybreak a few crumbling walls were all that remained of the building. Unofficially it was believed the fire was started by spontaneous combustion. Most of the valuable records and
2. Marker detail: City Hall Opera House tower
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019
3. Dover's City Hall and Opera House Burned Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019
4. Dover City Hall and Municipal Building
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
