Marengo Opera House

The Marengo Opera House was built as a cream-colored Milwaukee-pressed bricked building in late-1882 by Richard M. Patrick at an estimate cost of $30,000 with a view of promoting the interests of Marengo rather than for financial gains. Opening in February 1883, the Marengo Opera House housed a capacity of 800 people at a cost of $2 a ticket. At one time, the Chicago & North Western Railroad operated a special train that also includes a dinner for fans called the “Opera Special".

There were 15 full sets of scenery for its 25x50ft stage. Some original installations include frescoed ceiling and gilded walls being illuminated by gas lighting. When it was built in its entirety, the theater only contained two floors.

The Marengo Opera House closed in 1915, and Richard’s son Ernest remodeled the building the following year which removed the opera house area to make room for more floor space. The building was renamed the Community Building and housed a community club.

This magnificent building stands in 2024 with its first floor housing a bank.

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