Kingfisher in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Pappe Building Grand Opera House

Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025

1. Pappe Building Grand Opera House Marker

Inscription. Kingfisher's first opera house located on Robberts Ave., burned down in August of 1900. The new Grand Opera House was opened soon after on the second floor of the Pappe Building at this site and could seat up to 800 people. The building was one of three built by Richard Pappe who arrived in the 1889 Land Run and opened the first bakery in town.

For a $1.00 ticket, Opera House attendees could marvel at the velvet drapes, carpeted floor and cushioned seats while enjoying the sights, sounds, stories, and songs of the world beyond their own prairie vistas.

In addition to hosting the traveling troupes of actors, musicians, speakers and magicians, the Grand Opera House was also the venue for civic discussions, lectures, stock shows, graduations and debates.

Erected by Oklahoma Centennial 07 and Historic Kingfisher Trails.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1900.

Location. 35° 51.732′ N, 97° 55.973′ W. Marker is in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, in Kingfisher County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street (U.S. 81) and W Miles Ave,

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on the left when traveling north on North Main Street. The marker is located along the wall of the building in the center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 N Main St, Kingfisher OK 73750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in 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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and Cherokee Outlet.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bracken Building Downtown Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); First Drug Store in Oklahoma (within shouting distance of this marker); T.G. & Y. (within shouting distance of this marker); "Apostle Paul Sykes" / Lt. Keith Lowry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lame Bull of the Cheyenne (about 400 feet away); The Chisholm Trail (about 400 feet away); Historical Society Birthplace

Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025

2. Pappe Building Grand Opera House Marker

(about 600 feet away); Kingfisher County Memorial (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingfisher.

The view of the Pappe Building Grand Opera House from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025

3. The view of the Pappe Building Grand Opera House from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.