Beardstown in Cass County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Beardstown Grand Opera House
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2023
1. Beardstown Grand Opera House Marker
National Register of Historic Places
by the
United States Department of the Interior
May 11, 2000
Beardstown Grand Opera House
c.1872
Heritage Preservation
Foundation
“Preserving our past, presenting our future”
Erected by Heritage Preservation Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 40° 1.047′ N, 90° 26.056′ W. Marker is in Beardstown, Illinois, in Cass County. Marker is on South State Street near East 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 S State St, Beardstown IL 62618, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lincoln Photograph (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln the Candidate (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Abraham Lincoln's Speech (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln in Beardstown (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen A. Douglas Speech Site
this page online
Regarding Beardstown Grand Opera House. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
The site of the Opera House was originally the site of a hotel known as "The Old Sherman House" until it was purchased by George Schneider and Henry Krohe, who had it razed. The bricks from the old hotel were carefully cleaned and preserved in such a manner that there would be nearly enough for the new building.
Excavation for the new Beardstown Opera House began in May 1872 with the finishing touches being put on the dressed stone foundation work by September of that year. Work was discontinued during the winter months but resumed again in the spring. Just as the finishing touches were being added to the Opera House, the building was almost completely wrecked by a tornado on July 4, 1873. The damage was estimated at $5,000. On July 10 the owners, Schneider and Krohe, announced their decision to rebuild. The townspeopledisplayed their support and enthusiasm with the youth of the city cleaning bricks and removing debris. Many other citizens donated several days' work.Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 20232. Beardstown Grand Opera House Marker
… By December 24, 1873, the building was completed. In addition to the Opera House entertainment, Schneider and Krohe also operated the Opera House Saloon located in the basement. In 1876 they erected a new brick building at the rear of the Opera House for the manufacture of their bottled soda and mineral waters. A restaurant was opened in October of 1876 at the rear of the Saloon by Julius Cire and Company.
… Its period of significance is from 1873, the year of its construction, to ca. 1915 when it stopped functioning as an opera house.
Also see . . .
1. Beardstown Grand Opera House (PDF). National Register nomination for the venue, which was listed in 2000. (National Archives) (Submitted on July 31, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Paranormal Investigation at a Haunted Opera House!. Paranormal investigators Mike Ricksecker and Shana Wankel of Society of the Haunted investigate the paranormal activity of ghosts and spirits at a historic building currently being restored. This paranormal investigation includes EVP recordings, a menacing laugh, unexplained phenomena, personal supernatural experiences, and other paranormal activity. (Mike Ricksecker, uploaded March 19, 2018) (Submitted on July 31, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
