The building that fell in was the old Opera House, it opened in the late 1800’s and closed in the early 1900’s, the Walnut Theater building is still standing, it opened in 1918 and was the “Electric Theater” it was run by Ed & Joker Hammerle. It closed in the depression and after a period of time Ed completely remodeled it and reopened it and called it the Walnut Theater. In the 1950’s business was down and Ed was in poor health, he rented the theater out to some one from out of town, then he ended his life behind the screen one day. It was open off and on until the early 1960’s then it closed for good. It was empty for years and it was used as an office for “Peerless Levels” for many years, but is again empty today.
J. Buzard Rock Falls, Ill 4-27-05
The building that fell in was the old Opera House, it opened in the late 1800’s and closed in the early 1900’s, the Walnut Theater building is still standing, it opened in 1918 and was the “Electric Theater” it was run by Ed & Joker Hammerle. It closed in the depression and after a period of time Ed completely remodeled it and reopened it and called it the Walnut Theater. In the 1950’s business was down and Ed was in poor health, he rented the theater out to some one from out of town, then he ended his life behind the screen one day. It was open off and on until the early 1960’s then it closed for good. It was empty for years and it was used as an office for “Peerless Levels” for many years, but is again empty today.
J. Buzard Rock Falls, Ill 4-27-05