Dothan Opera House

United States historic place


Dothan Opera House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places


31°13′26″N 85°23′29″W / 31.22389°N 85.39139°W / 31.22389; -85.39139
Area	0.2 acres (0.081 ha)
Built	1915 (1915)
Architect	Morris & Morris
Architectural style	Classical Revival, Italian Renaissance
NRHP reference No.	77000204^[1]
Added to NRHP	December 16, 1977

The Dothan Opera House is a historic performing arts venue in Dothan, Alabama. It was built in 1914–15 as a municipal auditorium by the growing town. Seating 800, it opened October 8, 1915, with a performance by a local orchestra. The building was designed by Atlanta architectural firm Morris & Morris in a blend of Classical Revival and Italianate styles. The first floor features three central arched entry doors, with a pair of arched windows on either side. The second story is dominated by Ionic pilasters, four in the center section, and three on each side. The pilasters support a limestone architrave beneath a denticulated cornice and parapet roof. On the parapet, in line with each column in the center section is a figurine of an opera singer. A mural painted on the backdrop of the stage depicts the building under construction and some of the more famous acts to have performed in the theater.^[2]

A new civic center was built across the street in 1971, and the opera house was refurbished at the same time.^[3] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
^ "Dothan Opera House - Dothan's Hidden Mural". Wiregrass Museum of Art. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
^ Floyd, W. Warner; Ellen Mertins (May 20, 1977). "Dothan Opera House". National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form. National Park Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2014. See also: "Accompanying photos". Archived (PDF) from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2014.