What Cheer Opera House

The What Cheer Opera House is a historic venue with a rich narrative that spans over a century. The timeline of the Opera House's history is sourced from various documents, including the "What Cheer 100 year centennial book" and "What Cheer 150 years of History 1865-2015." The story of the Opera House began in 1868 when a group of Master Masons formed a lodge at Coal Creek. The following year, on July 29, 1869, Universe Lodge No. 242 AF & AM was established under the guidance of R. Mickel, the Grand Master of Masons of Iowa. Despite an attempted relocation to Indianapolis, the lodge remained in the area. In 1877, the Odd Fellows Hall became the meeting place for the lodge after a significant number of men from What Cheer joined. The first meeting in What Cheer was held on January 12, 1878. Meanwhile, the Lortscher Opera House was providing entertainment on the top floor of the Savings Bank just north of the current Opera House's location by 1885. Disaster struck on August 3, 1890, when a massive fire caused approximately $200,000 in damages, destroying 28 homes and 20 businesses. Thankfully, there were no fatalities. The Lortscher Opera House was among the buildings lost to the fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown. In the aftermath, the Masons decided to construct a new Masonic Hall & Opera House. The site for the new Opera House was acquired in 1892, and the building that stands today was erected in 1893. The first two floors were designated for the Opera House, while the third floor served as the Masonic lodge hall. The project, which cost $15,000, was financed through a loan from the Savings Bank and shares bought by members. From 1894 to 1930, the What Cheer Opera House thrived as a performance venue, conveniently located just two blocks from the railroad. This accessibility, along with special excursion trains, allowed it to attract many traveling performers and audiences from neighboring towns. During this period, the stage saw numerous famous acts. The decline of the coal industry in the early 20th century, along with the advent of radio, records, and motion pictures, shifted entertainment preferences. The Opera House was repurposed as a movie theater for silent films. However, by 1953, dwindling population and changing entertainment mediums led to the Opera House's closure. In 1965, with the Opera House facing demolition for its bricks, a local farmer named Lee Coulon and a group of citizens formed a non-profit organization, What Cheer Opera House, Inc., to save the building. They successfully purchased the building and prevented its destruction. The Opera House experienced a revival in 1966 when Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians performed there, marking the beginning of the Big Band Era. The venue continued to host a variety of performers, including country and pop stars, as well as local talent. In 1973, the What Cheer Opera House was honored with a listing on the National Register of Historical Places. Today, the What Cheer Opera House continues to serve the community by hosting arts and cultural events. Ongoing renovations aim to restore the building to its full operational capacity, ensuring that it remains a cherished landmark and a vibrant center for entertainment and cultural enrichment.