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Page: of 1
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4 the mid-1800's, most entertainment throughout the gold country
was in saloons and taverns where lusty miners found solace from
the long hard hours of working the claims. By the year 1863,
Nevada City--showing signs of civic pride, magnificent homes (for
that time) and social growing pains--realized the importance of a
facility to fill the need for theatrical entertainment. In 1863,
a group of citizens formed the Nevada Theatre Association. The
site and ruins of the Bailey House Hotel were purchased in February,
‘65 and construction started immediately. Using bricks from the
old hotel, upon this site rose the only theatre designed to accommodate professional productions for hundreds of miles around the
gold country--the Nevada Theatre.
the glorious opening night in July, '65 to this day, the
Nevada Theatre has been remembered for what it originally was -a grand legitimate theatre whose stage was graced by the glittering
and renowned personalities of our own Emma Nevada, Lotta Crabtree,
Mark Twain, Jack London -minstrel shows, the roaring applause
for Cornish singer Richard Jose. From the parting of the
magnificent drapes to the last curtain call, the audience clamored
for more. To this day, theatre devotees and historians of the
gold rush days prefer to remember the Old Nevada Theatre in this
light. The days of the silent flicks, talkies and television
caused many changes in the face of this old building -but
memories refused to die.
ith the organization of the Theatre Restoration Committee, a
spark of life entered the walls and the restoration began. The
irony of one of Nevada City's most important landmarks standing
as a blacksheep on the main street is now a thing of the past.
Busy craftsmen on sturdy scaffolding bringing this old theatre
back to her original grandeur -the discovery of the old brickwork, long covered with stucco, and the final touch of restoring
the original facade brings a smile on the face, and an
occasional "I told you so".
hours of many persons -contributions -more work to be
accomplished.
Your contribution to the restoration of the Old Nevada Theatre 44 tax deductible.
Many thanks are due -long dedicated
Checks
should be made out to the Theatre Restoration Fund, P 0 Box 1066, Nevada Cxty Ca 95959.