Delphi, Indiana: The Opera House Part 2
Jun 8th, 2010 | By Jessica Nunemaker | Category: Attractions, Delphi, Play, little Towns
Delphi, Indiana Opera House: Actors Leave Their Mark Backstage
The Delphi, Indiana Opera House is amazing. It’s the most surprising tour I’ve been on yet!
More than just great architecture, it’s due in part to an incredible history and volunteers who know their stuff! Thanks Julie K.!
Delphi, Indiana Opera House
Built back in 1865, the Opera House is actually located on the third floor. You will climb two very steep flights of stairs made with hoop skirts in mind. It was used more as an event hall than anything else.
It wasn’t until the floor was built up with risers twenty years later that the Opera House became the place to be, attracting performers of all kinds…and even James Whitcomb Riley!
James Whitcomb Riley at Delphi
The famed poet became inspired after visiting a pond in Delphi, so much that he had to write a poem about it: The Old Swimmin’ Hole.
As you can see from the photo–visiting performers left their mark on the place. Literally.
Performers at The Opera House
Delphi, Indiana Opera House: Actor Signatures
Actors and actresses signed their names along the back wall behind the stage, sometimes drawing pictures. Self portraits, perhaps?
Sometimes they even left behind the date. Unfortunately, no one has found James Whitcomb Riley’s name yet. Will you?
Another fun fact about this Opera House? Once upon a time, the connecting building was a hotel that the various performers used to get ready before hopping over to go onstage.
The old door has long since been bricked over and the building next door? The upper level is an apartment.
The Opera House managed to stay in business, competing against, I believe, two others in Delphi, until 1915 when the place was shut down.
A third floor Opera House with only one way out does not make for a safe place in case of fire!
Restoring The Opera House
Delphi, Indiana Opera House: Fading Wallpaper
The Opera House fell into a state of decay and was mainly used as storage. Storage! Ugh – if that isn’t the saddest thing.
As you can probably tell from The Opera House Photo Gallery Part One, this place is really in need of renovation.
Fortunately, the Delphi Preservation Society has come to the rescue, receiving grants and donations (even we contributed) to spiff the place up, recreate many of its amazing features, and generally make it useable once again.
Finally–a happy ending!
Go to Delphi
There are so many reasons to head to this small Indiana town–the Opera House is just one (very good) reason more!
You can be sure that little Indiana is going to keep tabs on this one and not just because of the yummy bakery, The Stone House, across the street. That has nothing to do with it. What? What? You don’t believe me?
Find more Delphi, Indiana Opera House images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.
Opera House Gallery of Contemporary Art (Opera House tour starts here and takes you next door)
109 S. Washington Street
Delphi, Indiana 46923
765.564.4300
765.202.3211
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Thanks for the posting about Delphi. Delphi is my home town (I grew up there from 9 mo. to college) but I haven’t been back since the family all died out. I remember the Opera House as a kid as being this creepy, haunted place full of stuff covered with sheets. We used to get the key from a woman on the second floor (who shall forever remain anonymous since everyone worried about toxoplasmosis) and wander around.
Your website is marvelous. Small town Indiana is way past its heyday — which was probably 1855-1885 or so — but there is so much evidence of history from that period has survived that hasn’t in the cities and suburbs. New England values the 1600s, Virginia the 1700s… but the Gilded Age is lost most places, but not all.
@Doug I’m not sure I agree that the small town is past its heyday — I’ve visited plenty that have grown in leaps and bounds!
@Paul There is nothing better than cider! I’ll have to check it out in the Fall. Thanks for the heads up! I hope, hope, hope she’s still making it!!!
I love this site – I grew up in the opera house building as it was my dads drugstore so I love following what they are doing. I am a life enrichment coordinator for an independent living facility in Lafayette and this site will be great to help find fun places – just need to work my way around the site – hank you for that!!!
Thanks Kathy!
What a neat place to grow up!