Corning Opera House

The Corning Opera House is a theater located in Corning, Iowa, United States. This was the third of three opera houses built in town. The other two were built in the 1880s, and this one was completed in 1902. It was the only opera house in Corning by 1907, and it served as a theater until 1934. From its opening in 1902 until 1921 it staged theatrical performances, and from about 1920 to 1931 it showed movies. It also staged vaudeville performances and high school productions.[2] The theater was located on the second floor. It featured raked seating on the main floor and in the horseshoe-shaped balcony, and it had a small stage and specialized rooms backstage.[2] Commercial space is located on the main floor of the building.

Corning Opera House
Location800 Davis Ave.
Corning, Iowa
Coordinates40°59′24″N 94°44′02″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1902
Architectural styleItalianate
Part ofCorning Commercial Historic District (ID12000318)
MPSFootlights in Farm Country: Iowa Opera Houses, 1835-1940
NRHP reference No.93000954[1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 21, 1993

Since 1934 the second-floor opera house had been used for storage by the local newspaper. The western part of the building, the lobby and restroom area, was converted into apartments in 1943. The main floor in the opera house was leveled and marked for half-court basketball at some point. The building was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.[1] In 2012 it was included as a contributing property in the Corning Commercial Historic District.[3]

A multi-year $3.5 million renovation was completed in 2012.[4] At that time the opera house was restored to a performance venue. A grand opening was held April 5 and 6, 2012.

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Tracy A. Cunning; James Jacobsen; Jane Seaton. "Corning Opera House". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-02-09. with photo(s)
  3. James E. Jacobsen. "Corning Commercial Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
  4. "Our History..." Corning Opera House. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
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