Rochester in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Rochester Opera House

Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 4, 2016

1. Rochester Opera House Marker

Inscription. Built in 1890, the Opera House Block opened with the First National Bank and Norton Pharmacy on its ground floor. On November 7, 1890, a grand opening dance launched the upper-level opera house as Rochester's social and cultural center. Until 1933 plays, movies, lectures, dances, reunions, commencements—even boxing matches—filled the calendars, but never an opera. In 1987 this Richardsonian-style landmark, with its sixteen-foot ceilings and stained-glass windows was restored.

Erected 1991 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1756.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 7, 1890.

Location. 42° 40.839′ N, 83° 8.014′ W. Marker is in Rochester, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is at the intersection of East 4th Street and South Main Street (Michigan Highway 150), on the right when traveling east on East 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 340 South Main Street, Rochester MI 48307, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masonic Block (a few steps from this marker); Three-faced Clock

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Rollin Sprague Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of Rochester, Michigan (about 500 feet away); Western Knitting Mills (about 600 feet away); Rochester Train Depot and Rochester Elevator (about 700 feet away); Township Hall (about 700 feet away); Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester.

Rochester Opera House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 4, 2016

2. Rochester Opera House

The opera house is the building on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,022 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.