Bellefontaine in Logan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Grand Opera House and Opera Block

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 10, 2022

1. The Grand Opera House and Opera Block Marker

Inscription. The Grand Opera House's first performance was on December 23, 1880 featuring a presentation of "The Chimes of Normandy". The auditorium of the Opera House could seat 956 patrons. Many big-name acts performed at the Grand Opera House, including Buffalo Bill Cody, John Phillip Sousa, Harry Houdini and Jenny Lind, to name a few. The store fronts on both Court Avenue and South Main Street have been filled with many businesses over the last 140 years, including Hutchin's Dry Cleaners, White’s Music House, and Richelieu Pure Foods.

Erected 2022 by Edward Jones, Darin Olson.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is December 23, 1880.

Location. 40° 21.624′ N, 83° 45.585′ W. Marker is in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in Logan County. It is at the intersection of South Main (U.S. 68) and East Court Avenue, on the left when traveling south on South Main. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 S Main St, Bellefontaine OH 43311, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bartholomew utilized a small laboratory (a few steps from this marker); Bartholomew founded the Buckeye Portland Cement Co. (a few steps from this marker);

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Portland Cement (a few steps from this marker); George Bartholomew (a few steps from this marker); Bartholomew's Concrete (a few steps from this marker); George W. Bartholomew (a few steps from this marker); Bartholomew convinced the City of Bellefontaine (a few steps from this marker); The Bottom Course (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellefontaine.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 10, 2022

2. The Grand Opera House and Opera Block Marker

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 10, 2022

3. The Grand Opera House and Opera Block Marker

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 23, 2025

4. The Grand Opera House and Opera Block Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 4. submitted on September 21, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.