Valley Girl Views: The Lewisburg Opera House Fire

On the morning of Sunday December 27th 1908, a fire destroyed the Lewisburg Opera House. The first alarm was slow in being sounded, as the engine house was locked and the entrance to the fire bell was barred. The bell in the Beaver Memorial church was rung, until the fire bell could be accessed.

The Lewisburg Opera House, Built in 1869, was located on S. 3rd Street, behind where the Post office is located today.

On this 1883 map, the Opera House is shown above the number 4 - about the middle of the photo.

In 1870, sisters Sarah & Martha Meixell sold property along south 3rd street to Henry G. Schwartz. Schwartz built a row of houses, and designed and built The Music Hall in 1868.

The Music Hall was a three story brick building facing south third street. On the ground floor was John Shower's Oyster Bar, where fresh oysters were sold daily. Cobblers, a farm goods shop, and a variety of offices were housed in the building. The GAR, and later the Masons, occupied the third floor.

A long red carpeted stairway ran from the entrance to the second floor box office nd theatre. Rows of upholstered seats and a balcony faced the orchestra pit and stage. Gas floodlights provided illumination. In 1900 an extension was added, and an elevator was installed. Electric lights replaced the gaslights, in 1906.

Touring theatrical companies came by railroad to perform at the Opera House. Local citizens were often cast as extras in productions.

In addition to plays and musicals, the Opera House hosted speeches, high school graduation, and a variety of civic events. In 1907, motion pictures were shown there.

The 1908 Fire

The fire when first discovered was in the Opera House Restaurant. the fire department rushed to the scene. The streamer had 5 streams playing on the building, and three other fire plugs drawing from the mains. The water service was splendid and met the demands made upon it.

From the restaurant, the fire spread through the wood partition into the plumbing establishment of Chas. Oberdorf, and into the floor of the theater overhead. The fireman quickly realized that their was no hope of saving the Opera House, and they moved their efforts to save the adjoining property.

The Weidensauel Union National Bank and Mrs Bennets stables were on fire several times, but were kept from spreading. The Wolfe property across the street had a blazing roof, and other buildings in various parts of the town had small fires from pieces of wood that were blown on to them. Fires struck the roofs of the Cameron House, John Prowant's store, and the Saturday News Building. Snow on the roofs helped stop the fires from taking hold.

An hour after the firemen arrived, the three story brick Opera House fell . It was with the greatest difficulty that the fire was confined to the opera house building alone.

Milton sent a hose cart and a detail of men to help contain the fire.

The Opera House was completely destroyed by the fire. The street was roped off, fearing the high walls would fall, and on Sunday evening a high wind did blow down part of a wall on Mrs Shorkey's house. The slate roof on the rear of her home was crushed in, clear to the ground floor.