Traverse City in Grand Traverse County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
City Opera House
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 25, 2020
1. City Opera House Marker
side 1
Inscription.
City Opera House. . In 1891 three brothers-in-law Anthony Bartak, Charles Wilhelm and Frank Votruba built this 1,200-seat Victorian opera house. Designed by E. R. Prall of Pontiac, the opera house was the first facility in Traverse City to use electric lights. It has a 43-foot ceiling, hardwood maple floors and excellent acoustics. Built as a meeting hall and auditorium, the opera house hosted concerts, traveling plays, vaudeville shows, high school graduations, dinners and balls.
In 1920 a motion picture firm leased the opera house and closed it to avoid competition with its own film theaters. The building was used briefly during the Depression for a WPA project creating miniature city buildings. In 1971 it was listed on the national and state historic registers. In 1978 the City Opera House Heritage Committee began raising money to restore the structure. In 1980 the opera house was given to Traverse City by the descendants of one of the original owners, Frank Votruba.
In 1891 three brothers-in-law Anthony Bartak, Charles Wilhelm and Frank Votruba built this 1,200-seat Victorian opera house. Designed by E. R. Prall of Pontiac, the opera house was the first facility in Traverse City to use electric lights. It has a 43-foot ceiling, hardwood maple floors and excellent acoustics. Built as a meeting hall and auditorium, the opera house hosted concerts, traveling plays, vaudeville shows, high school graduations, dinners and balls.
In 1920 a motion picture firm leased the opera house and closed it to avoid competition with its own film theaters. The building was used briefly during the Depression for a WPA project creating miniature city buildings. In 1971 it was listed on the national and state historic registers. In 1978 the City Opera House Heritage Committee began raising money to restore the structure. In 1980 the opera house was given to Traverse City by the descendants of one of the original owners, Frank Votruba.
Erected 1985 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L0162.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 44° 45.842′
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N, 85° 37.406′ W. Marker is in Traverse City, Michigan, in Grand Traverse County. Marker is on East Front Street, 0.1 miles Cass Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 E Front St, Traverse City MI 49684, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 25, 2020
2. City Opera House Marker
side 2
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 25, 2020
3. City Opera House
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
