Press "Enter" to skip to content

JUNE 7 ISSUE ANSWERS: GRAY’S OPERA HOUSE (1869), 231 North Main Street. “The most costly and elegant building in Macomb County” proclaimed The Romeo Observer in July 1869. Financed by Hugh, Noah and James Gray and designed by local architect Oscar S. Buel, “a young man of more than ordinary promise as a designer and builder,” the Gray Opera House included three business stores, several professional offices, a ballroom and an auditorium seating 1,200 “without crowding.” Elaborately furnished and fitted with lightning fixtures and plate glass “imported from France.” A Tour of Historic Romeo by Richard M. Daugherty Chronology of Gray’s opera House 1870-1871 (based on articles in The Romeo Observer) Mar. 2, 1870 – A description of the plans for the dedication of GOH. Includes a list of all the performers and entertainments. Mar. 9, Tues. 1870 – First dedication night. 500-600 persons. Mar.16, Wed. 1870 – Second dedication night. Article says the entertainment was more successful than the first night. 600-700 persons. Mar 30, Thur. 1870 – The Romeo Union School gave “exhibitions” to the audience. Music was involved part of the time. May 5, Mon. and every evening of the week. 1870 – Prof. Owen the famous glass blower demonstrated his glass blowing skills every night of the week at GOH. June 8, Mon and Tues. 1870 -Juvenile concert under Mr. O. Blakley, their teacher. June 30 and July 1, 1870 – Young Ladies’ Congregational Society presented a patriotic program entitled “America.” There were 60-70 performers. July 4, Mon 1870 – A social dance costing $1.50 with a six piece orchestra. Aug. 24 and 25, Wed. and Thur. 1870 – Fireman’s Concert First night half- filled auditorium, second night a crowd. They earned $263.70. Oct 5, 1870 – Pixley and Grannis were two male singers who entertained at the GOH. Cost 25 cents. Oct 28, Fri. 1870 – Capt. Burrows political campaign speech. Seating for 600 and many were standing. Nov 2, Thur. 1870 – Felix Vincent comedian and Nellie Sanford gave a theatrical performance in two acts entitled “The Maniac Lover” and a play called “Irish Assurance and Yankee Modesty.” Nov 3, Fri. 1870 – Vincent and Sanford a play called “The Serious Family” in three acts and the play “The Dumb Belle.” Nov. 4, Sat. 1870 – Vincent and Sanford performed “The Hidden Hand.” Nov. 24, Thur. 1870 – Concert by the Romeo Orchestra Band cost 25 cents followed by a social hop (dance) cost $1. Dec. 2, 3, and 5, Fri, Sat, Mon. 1870 – Maud Stanley concerts. Dec 13, 1870 – The B. F. M. Ladies Society held a fair and supper at GOH. Jan 4, 1871 – The Hutchison Family singers entertained under the sponsorship of the Y. M. L. A. (Young Men’s Literary Association) at the GOH. —Collected by Richard Beringer, Jan 19, 2015

JUNE 7 ISSUE ANSWERS: GRAY’S OPERA HOUSE (1869), 231 North Main Street. “The most costly and elegant building in Macomb County” proclaimed The Romeo Observer in July 1869. Financed by Hugh, Noah and James Gray and designed by local architect Oscar S. Buel, “a young man of more than ordinary promise as a designer and builder,” the Gray Opera House included three business stores, several professional offices, a ballroom and an auditorium seating 1,200 “without crowding.” Elaborately furnished and fitted with lightning fixtures and plate glass “imported from France.” A Tour of Historic Romeo by Richard M. Daugherty Chronology of Gray’s opera House 1870-1871 (based on articles in The Romeo Observer) Mar. 2, 1870 – A description of the plans for the dedication of GOH. Includes a list of all the performers and entertainments. Mar. 9, Tues. 1870 – First dedication night. 500-600 persons. Mar.16, Wed. 1870 – Second dedication night. Article says the entertainment was more successful than the first night. 600-700 persons. Mar 30, Thur. 1870 – The Romeo Union School gave “exhibitions” to the audience. Music was involved part of the time.
May 5, Mon. and every evening of the week. 1870 – Prof. Owen the famous glass blower demonstrated his glass blowing skills every night of the week at GOH.
June 8, Mon and Tues. 1870 -Juvenile concert under Mr. O. Blakley, their teacher.
June 30 and July 1, 1870 – Young Ladies’ Congregational Society presented a patriotic program entitled “America.” There were 60-70 performers.
July 4, Mon 1870 – A social dance costing $1.50 with a six piece orchestra.
Aug. 24 and 25, Wed. and Thur. 1870 – Fireman’s Concert First night half- filled auditorium, second night a crowd. They earned $263.70.
Oct 5, 1870 – Pixley and Grannis were two male singers who entertained at the GOH. Cost 25 cents.
Oct 28, Fri. 1870 – Capt. Burrows political campaign speech. Seating for 600 and many were standing.
Nov 2, Thur. 1870 – Felix Vincent comedian and Nellie Sanford gave a theatrical performance in two acts entitled “The Maniac Lover” and a play called “Irish Assurance and Yankee Modesty.”
Nov 3, Fri. 1870 – Vincent and Sanford a play called “The Serious Family” in three acts and the play “The Dumb Belle.”
Nov. 4, Sat. 1870 – Vincent and Sanford performed “The Hidden Hand.”
Nov. 24, Thur. 1870 – Concert by the Romeo Orchestra Band cost 25 cents followed by a social hop (dance) cost $1.
Dec. 2, 3, and 5, Fri, Sat, Mon. 1870 – Maud Stanley concerts.
Dec 13, 1870 – The B. F. M. Ladies Society held a fair and supper at GOH.
Jan 4, 1871 – The Hutchison Family singers entertained under the sponsorship of the Y. M. L. A. (Young Men’s Literary Association) at the GOH.
—Collected by Richard Beringer, Jan 19, 2015

Covering the villages of Armada and Romeo as well as the townships of Addison, Armada, Bruce, Oakland, Ray and Washington

Mission News Theme by Compete Themes.