Sesser Opera House, theater and movie theater in Sesser, Illinois, United States
The Sesser Opera House is a theater building constructed in 1914 in Sesser, Illinois, featuring Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with rounded arches, stucco walls, and decorative roof tiles. The structure originally hosted plays, vaudeville performances, music shows, and films, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982.
The original theater that opened in 1904 was destroyed by fire ten years later, leading the community to rebuild the current structure in 1914 with Spanish Colonial Revival styling. This reconstruction demonstrated the town's resilience and commitment to preserving its cultural gathering place.
The Opera House served as the heart of social life in Sesser, where families gathered for performances and movies that shaped community bonds. Today it remains a symbol of how small towns relied on such venues to bring people together for shared cultural experiences.
The building is located on Franklin Avenue in Sesser and remains accessible to visitors interested in its architecture and history. The Opera House continues to host community events, and the second floor includes the Woll Banquet Room available for reservations through local contacts.
The building originally contained a projection room that was one of the first places in Sesser where films were shown to audiences. This early adoption of film technology made the Opera House a pioneer in bringing modern entertainment to the small town.
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