The Pensacola Opera House was a 1,400-seat theater at the intersection of Jefferson and Government Streets, across from Plaza Ferdinand VII. It opened in 1883. According to an 1885 city directory, "the stage which is 50 x 60 feet has 15 sets of scenery, foot-lights and four boxes."[1] The building was demolished in 1917 following damage received in the 1916 hurricane. Salvaged bricks and balcony railings were used in the construction of the Saenger Theatre.
| Pensacola Opera House | |
 Historical sign marks the site of the old opera house | |
| Building Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Jefferson Street at Government |
| Client | Daniel F. Sullivan (?) |
| Engineer | A.V. Clubbs, contractor Theodore Weber, artist |
| Completion Date | 1883 |
| Date Demolished | 1917 (hurricane) |
| Size | 1,400 seats |
Guest Performers
Some of the performers who graced the Opera House during its existence include:
Pensacola Advertising Company
In 1902 then-owner John M. Coe created the "Pensacola Advertising Company," a small poster business to promote the opera house. He took a business partner, Charles W. Lamar, Sr., in 1905. When the two men dissolved their business relationship in 1908, the poster company went to Lamar and was renamed Lamar Advertising. According to Lamar company lore, "a coin toss was used to divide their assets," and Lamar "lost."[2] Of course, the opera house was destroyed eight years later, while Lamar Advertising went on to become a billion-dollar multinational.
References
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