Wheeler Opera House
320 E. Hyman Avenue,
Aspen,
CO
81611
320 E. Hyman Avenue,
Aspen,
CO
81611
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1935 photo added credit Aspen Historical Society.
Harry Edbrooke was not the architect of the Wheeler Opera House. He was only 16 years old when it was built. It was actually designed by his father, Willoughby J. Edbrooke. Construction was probably supervised by W.J.’s brother, Frank E. Edbrooke, who performed that office for the Tabor Grand Opera House in Denver and later established his own practice in Denver.
The Wheeler Opera House in Aspen is listed in the 1897-98 edition of the Julius Cahn Official Theatrical Guide. J.J. Ryan was the Mgr. The house had 625 seats, electric illumination and was located on the second floor. The proscenium opening was 24 feet wide X 18 feet high, and the stage was 30 feet deep. There were 6 musicians in the house orchestra. Local newspapers were the Times, Tribune, and Rocky Mountain General Chronical. Hotels for show folk were the Jerome, Clarendon and Lincoln. Railroad was the Denver & Rio Grande. The 1897 population of Aspen was 5,000.
Here are some pics recently posted on Cinematour: http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/1685.html
I enjoyed going to the website clicking on About Wheeler and clicking on History and read the whole history of Aspen and the theater, found it interesting.
Anyone have more info or photos?