Wright Opera House, 19th century theatre in Alma, United States
Wright Opera House is a theater and commercial building built in 1880 in Italianate style, standing prominently on Superior Street in Alma. The cream-colored brick facade features tall double-hung wooden windows with decorative keystones and arched hoods, while the ground floor originally housed five commercial stores.
Built in 1880 by Vermont-born businessman Ammi Williard Wright, the structure was a major investment at the time, serving as an important anchor for downtown development. The building underwent significant rehabilitation in 2019 to restore its structural integrity and adapt it to contemporary needs.
The building served as a gathering place where the community came together for theater, music, and public speeches, making it central to local social life. The upper floors still show the marks of these cultural gatherings and performances from generations past.
The building is easily accessible from downtown Alma and now serves a mixed-use purpose with shops on the ground floor and student housing above. You can view the exterior and street-facing features anytime, though interior access may require coordination with Alma College depending on current uses.
A striking central staircase on Superior Street with decorative wooden framing and tall arched windows immediately draws the eye and reflects the original architectural elegance. This staircase once served as the main entrance for theater guests climbing to performances in the upper floors.
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