Downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Grand Opera House
On the southeast corner of N. Third and Walnut Streets stood the Grand Opera House, erected in 1873 at a cost of $160,000, by the Masonic Fraternity and designed by architect Frank E. Davis. Serving also as the Harrisburg Masonic Temple, lodge rooms were located on the upper floors and a theater, which was separately leased for cultural events, was situated below. Here Harrisburg's cultural life was taken to new heights as a place where nationally renowned theatrical and musical productions could be staged. Also held were social events, graduation exercises and political meetings as the Grand Opera House was one of Harrisburg's principal places of public assembly. The building and many surrounding structures were totally destroyed by a catastrophic fire on February 1, 1907, ten years to the month after the old State Capitol Building was similarly destroyed. The Masonic Temple was later rebuilt at Third and State Streets (now the Barto Building) and ultimately in uptown Harrisburg as the Zembo Mosque. The internationally known Penn Harris Hotel later stood at this site from 1918 to 1973.
[Captions:]
Circa 1900 view showing the Grand Opera House's robust architectural features and Italianate design.
Pre-construction rendering made by architect Frank E. Davis
Erected by The
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Buildings • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1973.
Location. 40° 15.701′ N, 76° 52.935′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is at the intersection of Third Street and Walnut Street, on the left when traveling north on Third Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Strawberry St, Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and in the Susquehanna Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original
Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008
2. Grand Opera House Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Strawberry Square Phase I (here, next to this marker); Federal Square (a few steps from this marker); Capitol Park (a few steps from this marker); John Harris' Gift (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Dauphin County Prison (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Plum (about 300 feet away); Mexican War Monument (about 400 feet away); 104th Cavalry (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.
Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008
3. Location now occupied by Strawberry Square
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,898 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 5, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
