Akron Opera House
National Register of Historic Places

Akron Opera House

Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa
Listed
July 9, 2012
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
12000403

About this property

Akron Opera House is a historic building located in Akron, Iowa, United States. The American Insurance Company of Des Moines promised the local citizens that if they bought enough insurance policies they would build the town an opera house. The $18,000 building was completed in 1905, with the interior completed the next year. The first floor housed commercial space, with the opera house occupying the second and third floors. The 600-seat theatre featured a stage on the north end and balcony and main floor seating. The first play was the disappointing The Homeseekers on February 15, 1906. The first opera was The Rajah of Altara on February 28, 1906. Akron was on a circuit that brought traveling companies of actors, musicians and politicians to rural communities. In addition to musical and theatrical performances, the theatre hosted lyceum speakers, medicine shows, school events, boxing matches, basketball games, dances, Chautauqua’s, political gatherings, and church activities. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

Location

151 Reed St.
Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa
42.83075, -96.56007

Categories

PERFORMING ARTSCOMMERCE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

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Le Mars Central High School
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Le Mars Downtown Commercial Historic District
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Questions about this property

When was Akron Opera House listed on the National Register?

Akron Opera House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 9, 2012.

What type of historic resource is Akron Opera House?

Akron Opera House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Akron Opera House?

The period of significance for Akron Opera House is recorded as the industrial era, specifically around 1905.

Can I research the history near Akron Opera House?

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