Elkhart in Elkhart County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bucklen Opera House

1884 - 1986

— Elkhart, Heritage of the City With a Heart —

Bucklen Opera House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 21, 2013

1. Bucklen Opera House Marker

Inscription.

Bucklen Opera House. , Bucklen Opera House , 1884 - 1986 , Main and Harrison Streets , Commissioned by: Herbert E. Bucklen , Architect: Unknown , General Contractor: Unknown , , The Bucklen Opera House, built in 1884 on the northwest corner of Main and Harrison streets, had a seating capacity of 1,200, and was the scene of many memorable events. In addition to featuring such famous stars as Houdini and singer Jenny Lind (the Swedish nightingale), the Opera House was frequently used by dramatic, vaudeville, and musical traveling groups as a last stop performance before opening in Chicago, giving Elkhartans "sneak previews". The great Creatore and John Philip Sousa brought their bands to perform here. High school graduation ceremonies were also held here for a number of years. The first motion picture in Elkhart was shown at the Bucklen in 1896, the admission charge being five cents for seats in the balcony and ten cents for seats on the main floor. The Opera House eventually became known as the Bucklen Theater, and was one of four movie theaters during the 1940's and 1950's. The last time a movie was shown at the Bucklen Theater was in the fall of 1956. Spacious second floor rooms housed a ballet school for many years. A large third floor room served as a rehearsal hall for the Elkhart Symphony Orchestra. After some alterations, various stores occupied what had been the seating area of the theater. Due to years of neglect and fears the building would collapse, the theater was demolished in 1986. , , Source: Elkhart - a pictorial history - by George Riebs, 1990 , , Herbert E. Bucklen, an early Elkhart entrepreneur who made his money in patented medicines, built the Bucklen Opera House in 1884. Herbert continued to invest in real estate in Elkhart and Chicago, eventually moving to Chicago in 1885. , , To the left is an engraving of the interior of the Opera House. The seating capacity was 1,200 with main floor and balcony. Over its lifetime it served as a vaudeville house, music hall and movie theater. . This historical marker is in Elkhart in Elkhart County Indiana

Bucklen Opera House
1884 - 1986
Main and Harrison Streets
Commissioned by: Herbert E. Bucklen
Architect: Unknown
General Contractor: Unknown

The Bucklen Opera House, built in 1884 on the northwest corner of Main and Harrison streets, had a seating capacity of 1,200, and was the scene of many memorable events. In addition to featuring such famous stars as Houdini and singer Jenny Lind (the Swedish nightingale), the Opera House was frequently used by dramatic, vaudeville, and musical traveling groups as a last stop performance before opening in Chicago, giving Elkhartans "sneak previews". The great Creatore and John Philip Sousa brought their bands to perform here. High school graduation ceremonies were also held here for a number of years. The first motion picture in Elkhart was shown at the Bucklen in 1896, the admission charge being five cents for seats in the balcony and ten cents for seats on the main floor. The Opera House eventually became known as the Bucklen Theater, and was one of four movie theaters during the 1940's and 1950's. The last time a movie was shown at the Bucklen Theater

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was in the fall of 1956. Spacious second floor rooms housed a ballet school for many years. A large third floor room served as a rehearsal hall for the Elkhart Symphony Orchestra. After some alterations, various stores occupied what had been the seating area of the theater. Due to years of neglect and fears the building would collapse, the theater was demolished in 1986.

Source: Elkhart - a pictorial history - by George Riebs, 1990

Herbert E. Bucklen, an early Elkhart entrepreneur who made his money in patented medicines, built the Bucklen Opera House in 1884. Herbert continued to invest in real estate in Elkhart and Chicago, eventually moving to Chicago in 1885.

To the left is an engraving of the interior of the Opera House. The seating capacity was 1,200 with main floor and balcony. Over its lifetime it served as a vaudeville house, music hall and movie theater.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 41° 40.929′ N, 85° 58.266′ W. Marker is in Elkhart, Indiana, in Elkhart County. Marker is at the intersection of S. Main St and Harrison St, on the right when traveling south on S. Main St. Marker is at northwest corner of intersection.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 21, 2013

2. Bucklen Opera House Marker

At front of the site of the demolished building

Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elkhart IN 46516, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Charles Gordone (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elkhart High School (approx. ¼ mile away); Elkhart Carnegie Public Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Elkhart County Revolutionary Soldiers Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); E. Hill Turnock (approx. ¼ mile away); Dr. Franklin L. Miles (approx. ¼ mile away); C.G. Conn Company (approx. half a mile away); The Rivers for Industry (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkhart.

Site of Bucklen Opera House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 21, 2013

3. Site of Bucklen Opera House

At northwest corner of intersection of S. Main St and Harrison St

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 603 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.