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. 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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula

and in the Grand Traverse Bay Region.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hannah and Lay Mercantile Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Con Foster and the Movies in Traverse City (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ladies Library Association / Ladies Library Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Park Place Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Novotny's Saloon (approx. 0.3 miles away); Congregation Beth El (approx. 0.3 miles away); Friends Meetinghouse (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Traverse City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Ladies Library Building (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . City Opera House. Excerpt:

The City Opera House is a square, three-story, building constructed of red brick. It measures 110 feet (34 m) on each side. The ground floor houses commercial tenants; the opera house proper is located on the upper floors. Since completion of the restoration, the City Opera house has seating for 710 people, arches
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, September 25, 2020

2. City Opera House Marker
side 2
with trompe-l'œil clouds and a dome ornamented with angelic putti, a two-story oriel window, an acoustic stage shell, modern theatre rigging and complete facilities for catered events.

(Submitted on March 7, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Additional keywords. Theaters, Opera Houses

City Opera House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, September 25, 2020

3. City Opera House

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 514 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.