Mount Vernon in Knox County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Woodward Opera House

The Mount Vernon Historic Walking Tour

Photographed By Craig Doda, September 2, 2022

1. Woodward Opera House Marker

Inscription. The Woodward Opera House is a place to experience Mount Vernon's cultural history.

The Woodward Opera House is America's oldest authentic nineteenth century theater still standing to this day. The theater was the vision of Dr. Ebenezer Woodward. It opened to the public in December 1851. The Snowden Family, Dan Emmett and many others preformed here. Prominent Americans including William McKinley (while he was Ohio's Governor) spoke here.

Unfortunately, the Woodward closed in the early 1920s due, in part, to movie theaters becoming more popular.

The non-profit Woodward Development Corporation currently owns the building, and efforts to restore this historic building back to its former glory are in progress.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1851.

Location. 40° 23.547′ N, 82° 29.127′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in Knox County. Marker is on South Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 S Main St, Mount Vernon OH 43050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Snowden Family (here, next to this marker); A Keystone (within shouting distance of this marker); Jane Payne, M.D. (1825-1882)

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cooper Fountain (about 300 feet away); South Main Plaza (about 400 feet away); Knox County Veterans Walk of Honor (about 400 feet away); Henry B. Curtis (about 400 feet away); Civil War Monument (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Woodward Opera House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Doda, September 2, 2022

2. Woodward Opera House

Photographed By Craig Doda, September 2, 2022

3. Woodward Opera House

Photographed By Craig Doda, September 2, 2022

4. Woodward Opera House

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 11, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.