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Among
our many outstanding attractions is the Mineral Point Theatre.
At an earlier time it was referred to as the Mineral Point Municipal
Theatre and Opera House. Built in 1914, it was dedicated in February,
1915 as a vaudeville and performing arts house. Designed by Claud
and Stark, the Madison architectural firm that designed the Orpheum
Theatre, its beauty rivaled that of theatres in New York and Chicago.
During its early days, it was a vaudeville and performing arts
house that attracted some of the country's outstanding artists
and productions of live drama, grand opera and symphonic music.
The theater was part of an integrated Wisconsin tour which included
other exceptional theatres such as: The Pabst in Milwaukee (c 1895);
the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh (c 1883); the Al Ringling in Baraboo
(c 1915); the Mabel Tainter Memorial Theatre in Menomonie (c 1890),
the Concordia Opera House in Watertown (c 1888); and the Bijou
in Racine (c 1906). Bookings for this circuit of theatres assured
artists, performers, musical and theatrical groups of engagement
schedules with a minimum of travel and open dates.
Performers played to full houses three or more times a week.
The original seating accommodated 700 people on the main floor,
in the balcony and two boxes. During the 1920s when silent movies
became popular, interest in stage productions faded and the Opera
House became primarily a movie theatre.
Today the theatre continues to provide the area
with daily movie presentations, a place for live performances by
the Shake Rag Players, a local theatre group. The Mineral
Point Film Society, a group of film lovers, have joined together
to bring significant world cinema to Mineral point with monthly
screenings. The Opera House is also a great place for conferences,
meetings and weddings.
The first phase of a rehabilitation project was completed in
2003 with plans continuing to restore and refurbish it to today's
standards while maintaining its original grandeur. The magnificent
auditorium with full proscenium and balcony provides unobstructed
views of the stage from every one of the more than 400 seats. It
is truly a theatre for all the people.
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