Coalinga in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Coalinga Opera House
Opened Nov. 22, 1907 Burned July 29, 1910
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013
1. Coalinga Opera House Marker
Inscription.
Coalinga Opera House. Opened Nov. 22, 1907 Burned July 29, 1910. During its short life, the Coalinga Opera House presented the top entertainers of the time. Coalinga was a boomtown with considerable wealth and the towns people could afford the very best. Located directly across the street was the Grand Central Hotel. No doubt it housed many fine performers. Explosion of gasoline in the rear of the “Seaman Bros. Dyeing and Cleaning Establishment” caused a fire that burned a quarter of Coalingas busiest business section. Some seventeen business houses and offices were burned. Among those burned were the Opera House and the firehouse. According to the “Coalinga Oil Record” on July 30, 1910, the flames were fanned by a strong breeze and unretarded by an insufficient supply of water. Although the Opera house burned, the stage was saved, and for many years concerts and boxing matches continued in the open air as the “Operadome”.
During its short life, the Coalinga Opera House presented the top entertainers of the time. Coalinga was a boomtown with considerable wealth and the towns people could afford the very best. Located directly across the street was the Grand Central Hotel. No doubt it housed many fine performers. Explosion of gasoline in the rear of the “Seaman Bros. Dyeing and Cleaning Establishment” caused a fire that burned a quarter of Coalingas busiest business section. Some seventeen business houses and offices were burned. Among those burned were the Opera House and the firehouse. According to the “Coalinga Oil Record” on July 30, 1910, the flames were fanned by a strong breeze and unretarded by an insufficient supply of water. Although the Opera house burned, the stage was saved, and for many years concerts and boxing matches continued in the open air as the “Operadome”.
Erected by Coalinga Lions Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1927.
Location. 36° 8.425′ N, 120° 21.567′ W. Marker is in Coalinga, California, in Fresno County. It is on East Elm Street (Route 33/198) west of North 4th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map.
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Marker is at or near this postal address: 192 East Elm Street, Coalinga CA 93210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley, specifically in the Central Valley, and in the Sierra Nevada. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,019 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
