Historic 1881 Eureka Opera House in Nevada, Road Trip Day 8 Ep.17

Neek sez:

Eureka is nicknamed “The Friendliest Town” on the Loneliest Road in America. With that kind of reputation, how could we not visit? This would also be the 3rd stamp in our Hwy 50 book. Only 5 more to go!

Eureka was settled by some silver prospectors from Austin, Nevada in 1864 when they found silver/lead ore in nearby Prospect Peak. By 1873, Eureka was Nevada’s second ranking mineral producer next to the Comstock Lode. In 5 years, the population of Eureka would swell to 9,000 people. Their economic mainstay would be in operating the smelters that would separate silver from lead. With all of the black smoke and soot coming from 16 smelters, Eureka would be known as the “Pittsburgh of the East”.Due to a decrease in mine production, the smelters closed down and the population fell. During its heyday, Eureka had over 100 saloons, several gambling places, an opera house, hotels, churches and 5 fire departments. The population consisted of Irish and Cornish miners, German, Italians (including the Carbonari who manufactured charcoal for smelters), Chinese and Jewish settlers. The population that wasn’t miners worked in general labor, making food, the laundry business or in medicine. It was a thriving town.

Lex was quick to point out a rare 5 hole outhouse erected in the middle of the town. We really didn’t know it was that rare till we read the marker erected near the fence surrounding it – the fence was probably to protect it from people who might still want to use it. It must have been quite a prize because it was the object of a lawsuit between two men who claimed ownership.

We decided to leave the famous outhouse alone and visit The Eureka Opera House. Luckily, it was an Official Hwy 50 Stamp Station.

The Eureka Opera House was built in 1880 and is one of only two currently used opera houses in Nevada. The other one is in Virginia City. The first silent movie was shown in 1915 and it started showing sound pictures in the 1920’s. At the time, the opera house was known as the Eureka Theatre. By 1958, the theatre showed its last picture show. In 1990 Eureka County acquired the building and began to restoring it. The restoration was completed in 1993. In 1994, The Eureka Opera House won the National Preservation Honor Award. The Opera House is a fully operational cultural arts center and is used for meetings, theatrical and musical performances.

Patty who is an amazingly energetic woman manages the Opera House by herself and was kind enough to stamp our booklets and generously gave each of us a red Hwy 50 Pony Express commemorative water container as a memento.

At the time of our visit, The Nevada State Old-Time Fiddler’s Contest was in progress. The basement had a wall lined with photos of musical performers and their autographs. I loved the creepy old photo of a 1913 Christmas party held in the building (Is Jack Torrance there?) and a framed glass case with a cape worn by Lola Montez who died before the Opera House was built.

1913 Christmas Party at the Eureka Opera House

 

Cape worn by Lola Montez, known for her notorious “Spanish Dances”

A room displayed some old film projectors recalling its time as a movie house.

The stage was beautiful with old restored chandeliers and an old Farmers and Merchants Bank banner above the stage. The fiddlers were very talented and we could get a good view of them from the unusual horseshoe shaped balcony. We found that this was only one of three such balconies left in Nevada.

We wanted to stay longer and see who won the fiddle contest but the road called to us and we had to follow.

It was an amazing visit and would definitely like to return again someday.