Albemarle in Stanly County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Starnes-Parker Building/ Opera House

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 29, 2024

1. Starnes-Parker Building/ Opera House Marker

Inscription. The Starnes-Parker building was completed in 1908 by F.E. Starnes, D.F. Parker, & J.C. Parker. Space for two retail businesses was downstairs & a performance hall, known as the Albemarle Opera House, was located upstairs. The Opera House was largely abandoned as a performance venue after the Alameda Theatre opened in 1916. During the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1917-1918 a passage was cut from the building next door so P.J. Huneycutt could store empty coffins. Starnes Jewelry Store, one of the original downstairs businesses, eventually became the oldest retail business in continuous operation in Stanly County.

Erected by Stanly County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 35° 21.016′ N, 80° 11.929′ W. Marker is in Albemarle, North Carolina, in Stanly County. It is on West Main Street east of South First Street (Business U.S. 52), on the right when traveling east. The marker is front of Starnes Bramlett Jewelry store. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 127 W Main St, Albemarle NC 28001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: Home Builders Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Courthouse Square Park (within shouting distance of this marker); In Grateful Remembrance (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Grateful Remembrance of the Men of Stanly County (about 400 feet away); Stanly County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Charters of Freedom (about 400 feet away); Alameda Theatre (about 400 feet away); Stanly County Library (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albemarle.

Starnes-Parker Building/ Opera House Marker looking west on West Main Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 29, 2024

2. Starnes-Parker Building/ Opera House Marker looking west on West Main Street.

Marker is in front of Starnes Bramlett Jewelry.

Starnes-Parker Building/ Opera House Marker looking east on West Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 29, 2024

3. Starnes-Parker Building/ Opera House Marker looking east on West Main Street

Full view of Starnes-Parker Building/ Opera House (r) and P.J. Huneycutt Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 29, 2024

4. Full view of Starnes-Parker Building/ Opera House (r) and P.J. Huneycutt Building

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 31, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.