By Parker Anderson
(This article was originally published in the Prescott Courier on February 20, 2005)
Many long-term Prescottonians have fond memories of movies and events in the auditorium, and it has played an important role in local entertainment throughout its history. Those familiar with its history know that it has been rocky at times, but the Elks Theater has proven itself to be a survivor, and it is still with us when many other theater of its age around the country have long closed their doors and/or met with the wrecking ball.
In January of 1896, the growing town of Prescott saw the formation of a branch of the Elks Lodge, No. 330, B.P.O.E. For a few years, the lodge held their meetings in various venues around town, but by 1900, they were looking to build a permanent lodge hall of their own. On August 31 of that year, B.M. Belcher, acting as trustee for the Elks, purchased a 50 x 125 foot lot on East Gurley Street for the purpose of erecting a lodge hall. They would later purchase more of the surrounding grounds as plans grew bigger.
Various delays hampered construction of the new Elks Lodge hall, but by February of 1904, construction workers were excavating the lot under the supervision of architect J.R. Minor. The Lodge had previously discussed and abandoned ideas of adding an opera house to their hall, but Minor decided he could add one at a cost of only $15,000 more than the simple lodge hall would cost. Prescott had been without an entertainment venue of this sort since the Dake Opera House on Nob Hill had been bulldozed the year before.
Prescott Lodge No. 330 B.P.O.E. became interested in an opera house again, and took steps to start raising the extra money. After meetings with Prescott’s business and civic leaders, it was decided to sell and subscribe stock in the building to raise the funds. Once this was accomplished, architect Minor drew up blueprints for the building, which were then put on public display at Dillon’s Cigar Store and Smith’s Meat Market where an excited Prescott citizenry could look at them. The lodge took bids for construction, and awarded the brickwork to C.H. Valentine for $9983.00, and the stone contract went to Edwin Hall for $1000.00. It was decided to use sandstone brick from-where else?-the Prescott Sandstone Brick Company. 700,000 bricks were ordered, along with 60 tons of gray granite.
On April 4, 1904, the cornerstone for the Elks Opera House and Lodge Rooms was laid amid an imposing ceremony with speeches, oratory and music. Lodge members A.J. Herndon and T.G. Norris gave addresses, and various objects, including newspapers, lists of lodge members, trinkets, etc. were imbedded in the cornerstone (this was ceremoniously done quite often in those days at the construction of important new buildings). It was the most significant social event in Prescott in years.
On April 4, 1904, the cornerstone for the Elks
Opera House and Lodge Rooms was laid amid an
imposing ceremony with speeches, oratory and music
(Call Number: BU-B-8022p).
Following the ceremony, construction went ahead full force. While the framework was going up, the lodge ordered twelve tons of theater scenery for $3000, and spent another $3000 for plush opera house seats from C.F. Weber & Co. in Los Angeles, who was also supplying seats for the First Congregational Church in Prescott. Prescott’s two newspapers, the Prescott Courier and the Arizona Journal-Miner, breathlessly kept the public informed of the construction’s progress every step of the way. The roof was to be finished with a new substance called Rubberile.
The construction went smoothly, though there were some mishaps. On July 14, 1904, some scaffolding collapsed and two brick masons, Hollis Nicks and Estalono Candelaria, fell considerable distance to the ground. Nicks suffered crushed and broken anklebones on one foot, while Candelaria suffered a head cut and bruises. A few weeks later, during a thunderstorm, lightning struck the north frame of the building, causing considerable damage.
By early February of 1905, the Elks Opera House was completed enough that the lodge invited newspaper reporters to tour the interior. Both the Courier and Journal Miner wrote lengthy pieces about it. “Prescott’s Present Pride and Index of the City to Be” screamed the headline of the February 6, 1905 edition of the Courier. The new theater had eight box seats and a variety of ornamental bric-a-brac. For instance, there were Elks heads protruding out of the walls and a clock above the proscenium, which always stayed at 11:00 o’clock – that time having particular significance in Elkdom. These decorations graced the theater for 40 years, when all of them would be taken out during extensive remodeling.
After setting the date for the grand opening of the Elks Opera House for February 20, 1905, the Elks Lodge began to search for a major opening attraction for the show that night. They wanted someone who could draw big audiences and fill the entire auditorium. How could little Prescott manage to attract someone like that?
Next week, Part II details the grand opening of the Elks Opera House 108 years ago!
(Parker Anderson is a historian for the Elks Opera House and has recently written a book on its history, complete with many photos, which is available at the Sharlot Hall Museum store.)