Stafford Opera House
Historic former theater in Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Stafford Opera House, originally the R. E. Stafford Bank and Opera House, is a historic building at 425 Spring Street in Columbus, Texas, United States. It was built in 1886 by cattleman and businessman Robert E. Stafford (born 1834- died 1890). It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a Texas Historic Landmark. A plaque commemorates its history. The first show it hosted was "As in a Looking Glass" starring Lillian Russell. Magician Harry Houdini was another famous performer who appeared at the theater.[2]
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Stafford Bank and Opera House | |
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| Location | Milan and Spring Sts., Columbus, Texas |
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| Coordinates | 29°42′21″N 96°32′24″W |
| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1886 |
| Architect | Nicholas J. Clayton |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002276[1] |
| Added to NRHP | May 8, 1973 |
An example of Second Empire architecture, bank and dry goods store were on the first floor and the theater on the second. Architect Nicholas Joseph Clayton of Galveston designed it.[3][4] A brick building, it is decorated with articulated arched windows and polychromatic brick patterning.[3]
It was bought and used as a Ford dealership. It also was used as an arena for basketball games and boxing matches as well as a roller skating rink. During World War II, private apartments were built in the theater area upstairs. The building was purchased in the early 1970s by a preservation group and restored over the next 18 years. It was rededicated in 1990.[4]
Stafford built a home next door to the building the year it was built, 1886.[5] The John Stafford House owned by his brother and business partner was also listed on the National Register until it burned in 1994.[citation needed]
