671 - Opera House
This historic black-and-white photo shows the Opera House Building in downtown Grand Forks, ND. The large brick structure features Romanesque-style arches, ornate windows, and a central arched entrance flanked by posters for upcoming shows. A fire escape runs along the side, and utility poles and streetcar tracks line the street in front, capturing the early 20th-century character of the city.
The magnificent Metropolitan Opera House sits alongside the Great Northern Railway line on full display to visitors arriving in Grand Forks. The land was donated by railroad tycoon, James J. Hill. It was built in 1890 at a cost of $91,000, and financed by 38 of the City’s founders. The auditorium could seat almost 900 people and included a stage and orchestra pit, a fly loft and a large lobby. The premiere production was the opera, “Martha”, performed by the Emma Abbott Opera Company which was considered the most important touring company at that time. On opening night, ND Governor, John Miller gave the dedication speech noting the importance of such a building to enhance and promote the social and cultural welfare of the community. Even its name, The Metropolitan, was meant to evoke much larger cultural centers on the east coast.
The three-story Richardsonian Romanesque-style building was once described as the finest theatre between Minneapolis and Seattle. It stood as a grand symbol of optimism for a booming frontier town. It was designed by architect, Warren B. Dunnell who is perhaps better known for his civic and institutional buildings. It is believed to be the only theatre he ever designed.
Its location alongside the railroad provided a convenient point to load and unload sets, props and costumes for a variety of productions. In addition to operas, the Met hosted comedies, burlesque, magic shows and university lectures and even graduations. In 1910 it was adapted to a movie theatre. Then in
1940 much of the original theatre structure was removed. The building was converted to an entertainment center with a bowling alley café and bar, with apartments upstairs. It was badly damaged in the 1997 flood, but saved through the efforts of many locals and historic preservationists, and was later purchased by Rhombus Guys, rejuvenated, and then turned into Grand Forks' first brew pub.