National Register of Historic Places

Shirley Opera House

Atwood, Rawlins County, Kansas
Listed
January 16, 2007
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
06001241

About this property

The Shirley Opera House, located at 503 Main St. in Atwood, Kansas, was built in 1907. It is an Early Commercial style building that has served as a theater and as a department store. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It was deemed significant for historical association with entertainment in the community and for its architecture. Its NRHP nomination noted that its construction "coincided with the building of the Rawlins County Courthouse, the creation of permanent sidewalks, and the establishment of a public waterworks. The commercial block building style combined with elegant Victorian detailing established it as a building of merit, meant to bring distinction and permanence to a community that had recently celebrated 25 years of existence." Its upstairs area served the community for political rallies, graduations, dances, and debates, as well as for musicals and traveling road shows. The main floor area was used by various commercial businesses. The building is the sole surviving commercial building of its era in Atwood that has not been significantly altered.

Location

503 Main St.
Atwood, Rawlins County, Kansas
39.80783, -101.04041

Categories

ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATIONARCHITECTURE
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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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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Nearby Historic Sites

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23.6 mi
Graham, Seward, House
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Hickert, Henry Building
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26.5 mi
Eicholtz, A.J., House
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Colby City Hall
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28.3 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Sappa Creek (April 23, 1875)
1875Indian Wars
12.5 mi
Battle of the Republican River — Forsyth vs Dog Soldiers (September 1868)
1868Indian Wars
15.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Shirley Opera House listed on the National Register?

Shirley Opera House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 16, 2007.

What type of historic resource is Shirley Opera House?

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

What is the period of significance for Shirley Opera House?

The period of significance for Shirley Opera House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Shirley Opera House?

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