Star Hall History
Star Hall is the oldest public building in Moab that is still in use. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was constructed in 1905-1906 by the local Mormon community to serve as a social and cultural center.
The exterior of the building is considered one of the finest examples of an architectural style called "Richardson Romanesque," building that are rough-hewn versions of more elaborate structures created by Henry Hobson Richardson in New England.
The building opened in May, 1906, with a "musical entertainment" organized by the Busy Women's Club to raise money for the victims of the San Francisco earthquake. At the time, the building had no name, but within six months it was referred to as The Star Opera House.
In the next two decades the "Opera house" was home to a variety of theatrical presentations, musical events, dances, meetings, political rallies, lectures, poetry readings and other public entertainments. Starting in 1907, the Shafer Brothers began to advertise and promote Star Hall to traveling shows. With a capacity of 500 and a gas-lit auditorium and stage, it was described as "the best equipped Amusement Hall in South Eastern Utah." The basement was often used for large dinners followed by dances. For several years in the era of silent movies, the "The Star" served as Moab's cinema.
In 1925, the LDS Church sold the building for $1 to the Grand County School District, which changed the building's name to Star Hall. Over the next thirty years, the School District used the facility many ways: for classrooms, as a venue for basketball games, and finally for shop and woodworking classes.
By the 1960's, Star Hall had fallen into disrepair and was almost razed. After much public debate, the School Board used funds from a bond issue to renovate the structure and return it to its original use as a place for public entertainment. Among other improvements, a raked floor was installed. Opening night of the "new" Star Hall was May 23, 1968, with local students offering a presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma.
Since that reopening, the hall has once again served as a performance center for plays, music, ceremonies, films, and meetings. Both audiences and performers praise Star Hall for its acoustics and intimacy.
In 1998, ownership of Star Hall was transferred from the School District to Grand County. A committee of local arts organizations - including the Moab Community Theatre, Moab Music Festival, and Moab Folk Festival—serves as an advisory group.
Thanks to the initiatives of many community members, the exterior of the building was repaired and restored in the late 1990's and, in 2006-2007, the interior was renovated as part of Star Hall's Centennial Celebration.
Erected by Grand
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education • Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1906.
Location. 38° 34.407′ N, 109° 32.868′ W. Marker is in Moab, Utah, in Grand County. It is on Center Street west of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 159 East Center Street, Moab UT 84532, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country. It is also in the American Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Star Hall (here, next to this marker); The Old Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Moab L.D.S. Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Early L.D.S. Church (within
Also see . . .
1. Star Hall National Register Registration Form. (Submitted on November 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Star Hall. (Submitted on November 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Star Hall at Facebook. (Submitted on November 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 387 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
