Advertisers in the Opera House Program in early 20's

Does anyone out there remember seeing "Little Trixie?"

An early playbill of the Opera House

The Opera House

            In 1926, Forest McMurtrey and his wife Irene (Babe), took over the Opera House, cleaned it, painted it, and generally put it up into good condition; they reopened it on February 2, 1926.  They first picture they showed was “The Pinch Hitter,” with Constance Bennett and Glen Hunter.  Dorothea (Dinsmore) Nelson played the piano for many silent movies at the Ladoga Opera House.

In January of 1981, Mona Kreuger wrote an article about the Ladoga Opera House under the title, ‘That’s Entertainment.’  She wrote:

            On a cold winter Saturday evening at the turn of the century, where did all the people go?  They gathered at the Ladoga Opera House for a night of entertainment.

            The Opera House was the center of the community’s culture from the late 1800’s to the 1930’s.  People came from all around to see such touring companies as the Zeke and Daisy shows.  Another exciting act form out-of-town was the flamboyant Indian Chief who came from Terre Haute. The Chief sometimes brought the whole tribe and they would comp out at the Normal College grounds, having themselves a great time.

            There were also medicine shows and, of course, let us not forget the hometown shows such as the performance of “The Mikado.”  Besides the live entertainment there were picture shows which cost 25 cents to see.  One of the biggest sell-outs for two weeks was “Black Eagle,” with Rudolph Valentino.  The same week the movie was running at Ladoga, Valentino died.

            The Opera House was located in the upper story of the building on the corner of Washington and Main Streets at Ladoga.  In later years, the upper story was torn down and the rest of the building remodeled.  It is now the home of the First National Bank.

            The entry to the Opera House was off West Main Street with a wide stairway to the second floor, through the double doors to a large dome-shaped auditorium:  the main floor had elevated seating for 400; the balcony seated 200 with a beautiful hand-painted Irish linen curtain on the stage.

            The Opera House became a victim of progress due to expenses such as heat, maintenance and state fire laws.

            Mr. and Mrs. Forest McMurtrey of Ladoga became managers of the Opera House in 1924.  They not only served as business managers but were also promotional directors and stage-hands.  They teamed together to write and direct their own operetta, “The Gypsy Queen.”  “Babe” McMurtrey directed and taught 45 students a session of Dramatic Arts (recital readings and dancing) on the stage and presented their student programs to the community.

            After an evening with the McMurtreys as they reflected back to the days of the Opera House, Mr. McMurtrey leaned back in his chair with a twinkle in his eye and said, “Those were the good days and we had a lot of fun, didn’t we, Babe?”

Anybody recognize this picture?

The bank and opera house in the 30's.  The monument is still shown in the middle of the town square.

Advertisers in Opera House Production in 1920s

Businesses in the early 1920’s advertising for production of SNAPSHOTS at the Opera House

New York Shoe Store

Rose Bros.

R.W. Wade—Furniture Dealer and Funeral Director

McIntire and Gardner—South Side Restaurant

Barnes and Shackelford

Trade With McGinnis If You Want Up-To-Date Goods

Van Horn

C.B. Werts, Dentist

Dr. E. G. Lidikay—Eyes Fitted With Glasses

Ben Carman—Hardware Dealer, Successor to Jim Knox

Henry Deeken—Tailor

H.G. Huntington—Fire Insurance

Holiday Presents—Go to H. Van Cleave Diamonds, Watches. Clocks, Silverware.  Novelties of all kinds.  Repairing a Specialty.

Tapp and Robbins—Millinery Goods Go at Cost

The New Trade Palace—Dry Goods, Millinery, Curtains, Rugs and Shoes.  Everything New

J.J. Oliver Wants a Part of Your Trade

Henry and Quinley, Groceries

Hanna Drug Co.

F. & M. Bank

J.N. Slade, Barber

Myers Bros. Meat Market

See Tribby for Crullers, Layer Cake, Pound Cake, Angel Food. 10, 15, 20, 25c.

Ronk’s Pharmacy, Drugs

Gray and Son Barbers

A closer view of the Old Opera House (early 30's; the monument was moved to the cemetery in 1938)

The Opera House was torn down in the late 50's

Alpha Pi Omega Sorority
The Alpha Pi Omega Sprority was organized in March of 1915 by Rev. Fred Weldman, pastor of the Methodist Church.  It started as a religious group from the church, but later extended its membership over the entire community.  Charter members were Lillian Foster, Ruth Poe, Esther Poe, Beulah Hughes, Kathryn Mercer, Ruth Sharp, Florence Goodbar, Naomi Cox, Edith Reeves, Gertrude F. Weather, Ada Overstreet, Lillian McGinnis, Lucile Booker, Fern Hurt, Salome Peffley, Lilah Hughes, Lillian Slade, Esther Robbins, Ruth Peffley, Florence Lowell, Amy Gardner, and Lena Frame.  Honorary members were Mrs. William Goodbar, Mrs. Thomas G. Foster, and Mrs. Hyten Peffley.  (Pictures are from the Hughes sisters collection)



Alpha Pi Sorority