Odd Fellows Opera Block

Odd Fellows Opera Block
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Jct. of Main and Mechanic Sts., SW corner, Ellisville, Illinois
Coordinates	40°37′36″N 90°18′16″W / 40.62667°N 90.30444°WCoordinates: 40°37′36″N 90°18′16″W / 40.62667°N 90.30444°W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1891
Built by	Mercer, T. M.
Architect	Parkins, W. H.
NRHP Reference #	96000876[1]
Added to NRHP	August 8, 1996

The Odd Fellows Opera Block is a historic theatre located at the southwestern corner of the intersection of Main and Mechanic Streets in Ellisville, Illinois. The Spoon River #78 Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows built the opera house in 1891. The opera house was one of many theatres built in small rural communities in the late 19th century as improved transportation and local wealth allowed these communities to have entertainment options previously reserved for larger cities. As Ellisville had well below 1000 residents and no railroad, most of the theatre's shows were locally produced, though it was occasionally able to attract regional touring companies. As the community's largest auditorium, the theatre also hosted other community events such as public meetings, benefit fairs and dances, and church services.^[2]

The opera house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 8, 1996.^[1]

References

1. National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
2. Bradshaw, Jesse E. (April 1996). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Odd Fellows Opera Block" (PDF). Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Retrieved November 28, 2015.