The history of the Homestake Opera House, 1912-1937

Abstract

Beginning in the mid 19th Century, intercontinental railroad service made it possible for theatrical road companies to move more freely across America and perform in the smaller community opera houses. This thesis is about one of these opera houses, the Homestake Opera House in Lead, South Dakota. This thesis chronicles the events from the conception of the opera house by Pheobe Hearst and Thomas Grier, to the construction of the structure, 1911 through 1914, and finally through some of the events that took place in the opera house from the opening in August, 1914 to late November, 1936, at which time the opera house was converted into a movie house. Focus is given to the road companies that performed in the opera house within the time period specified. Such performances are chronicled by date, company name, title and type of performance, and names of the author(s).