Collection: Directories and Documents > Pamphlets

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Title: Nevada City Opera House Centennial (PH 5-3)(1965) Collection Type: Directories and Documents Collection Name: Pamphlets Catalog #: PH 5-3 Author: Marian Libbey ; Nevada City Liberal Arts Commission Published: 1965 # of Pages: 6 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Printed or handwritten: All printed text Date Scanned: 2024-10-31 09:39:48 Scanned By: Shelby Figueroa Scanning Equipment: CZUR Book Scanner OCR Software Version #: tesseract 5.4.1 Item Sourced From: JPGs First Created: 2025-03-17 05:47:48 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 05:47:48

Original Held At: Searls Historical Library Location: 161 Nevada City Hwy, Nevada City, CA 95959

Page: of 6  

THE OLD NEVADA THEATRE By the close of 1863, Nevada City had lost five theaters by fire and one by flood. The need of a building especially designed for the presentation of theatrical performances led to the formation of the Nevada Theater Association. Nat Bailey wanted no more of Nevada City’s disastrous fires nor the hotel business either, and sold the lot and brick ruins of his Bailey House on the corner of Broad and Bridge Streets to the newly formed theater group. The wreckage cleared away, many bricks from the 1860 hotel were retrieved and used in the present theater. The theater was completed in July 1865, and to help defray construction expenses a gala dance was held. Gas lights brilliantly illuminated the theater, which was decorated with flags and evergreens. The Nevada Quadrille Band furnished music for the popular dance routines of the day. Young ladies dressed in crinoline and flowered muslin and their partners crowded the floor while chaperones kept a watchful eye from the gallery. The midnight supper, a featured attraction, was served in the hall of the Hook and Ladder Company by Alex Gault, whose shop is known today as Kopp’s Bakery. il The first stock company in the theater opened on September 9/1865. For it, Dan Setchell played Von Dunder in a two-act comic drama, “The Dutch Governor,” and Sophie, Irene and Jennie Worrell, famous for their dancing and burlesque performances of fairy tales, did their inimitable “Cinderella.” This was the beginning of a glittering array of talent to appear at the Nevada Theater: Adah Menken tied to a wild stallion in Mazeppa (or was it a placid livery-stable horse that stood in the wings gazing out at the audience?) ; Mark Twain lectured on his trip to the Sandwich Islands; Jack London related his exciting experiences; Anton Zamlock, the great magician, freed himself from a rope-tied trunk; and the lyrical voice of the Cornish singer, Richard Jose, thrilled Nevada City audiences. Many minstrel shows and dramatic groups visited the theater, the most famous were the incomparable Ellefords, appearing with a repertoire of plays, one for each night of the week, and a carload of scenery and stage settings. Community organizations put on many an ambitious play; the Laurel Players, a dramatic group of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, were always a popular favorite. The beginning of the end of those wonderful days when make-up was carefully applied in the basement dressing rooms, when flats and wings were arranged into the most exotic scenic effects and pullied curtains or drops responded to the slightest touch, came with the ‘advent of motion pictures. There are only memories now of standing in the wings while Dick Goyne, Billy Grimes, Herman Brand, and the Rector brothers tuned up their instruments in the orchestra pit. The show was on, and it was time to face the footlights and a sea of friendly faces. Motion pictures were shown in the Nevada Theater for the first time in February, 1908, Hours before starting time, long lines of people waited to gain admission to this novelty. Films in those days were one reelers, and five or six ifferent titles were shown in an evening. Each performance included an illustrated song for a vocalist or the audience. The “movies,” however, interfered with the legitimate show, and so were soon removed to their own theaters. Later remodeling of the Nevada Theater included a slanted floor ana the addition of electric lights. By 1915, movies had returned to the theater and their showing reached a pinnacle in the 1920 silent-screen days, under the able management of a company headed by William Tamblyn and George Calanan. The piano player for silent films was as important as the moving picture itself. The “Fire Engine March” caused the audience anxious and exciting moments, while the rendering of “Hearts and Flowers” could tear one’s heart apart. Mrs. Davenport, the pianist, was an expert at fitting bits of musical selections to the film. The Nevada continued to show motion pictures as the Cedar Theater until the advent of television forced its closing in 1958. Through the efforts of the Nevada City Liberal Arts Commission and the people of the Community, plans are being made to acquire, refurbish and restore the yacant landmark as a community center. Donis Fotry Reverses The CentenntalPoster, Designed by Ocbom/Woods, Photography: Ry Wyekoff, Lithographed by Charles Allert, Pageant: Seript, Alvin 5, Trivelplece, sration, Philander Paine, Supper& Dance, Mrs, Leland Lewis, chairman, Liberal Arts Commisstoar Lsabel R, Hefelfinger, presidents Fickdog Tapp, vicepreside {ts, K. L, Dark, secretary; Mary Cox, treaturer,