Piketon's Opera House
Piketon's old Opera House has a history that has been well kept through the years, probably too well kept. Few items have been published about its early years and most of the information that surrounds the historic landmark is incomplete.
But, John Stratton of Piketon, recalls the structure was built in the early 1900's and the first activity held was a large dance to initiate the building.
How does John Stratton remember that so well? He attended the dance.
The original building had a slant floor and the building was used for live operas and high school commencements programs.
In the early 1930's, it was used as a motion picture theatre and films were shown there until the 1940's. During its early years, the east side of the building was used as village offices and the west side was used as township offices. The Village of Piketon still has offices there.
In the 1950's, the slant floor was removed and the opera house was made into a youth center.
Sometime later, square dances started in the building and now the stage has been rebuilt and is the home of a Theatre group.
Correction: My first sketch on the Piketon's Opera House, a newspaper item on May 12, 1904 read "the opera house was closed due to a lack of patronage." Don't let this happen to this fine group of local actors and actresses now performing in the same building. If you haven't seen a play there, go out and see one this month.
Pike's Past Articles & Sketch - 1978
By Jim Henry
(This is one of the sketches and articles in Volume I of Pike's Past Historical Drawings & Articles sold by the society. This book is listed on our publication page and included in our mini notes for sale.)
Copyright © 2005
Pike Co. Genealogy Society a Chapter of O.G.S.
P. O. Box 224, Waverly, Ohio 45690