Crosby's Opera House

Crosby's Opera House was a five-story Italianate building on Washington Street containing retail stores, offices, and a theater with 3,000 seats topped by a decorated dome. The ground level housed music publishers, a piano seller, and various shops that served the needs of theater patrons.

Designed by architect W.W. Boyington, the opera house opened in 1865 and quickly became central to Chicago's music scene. Its history ended abruptly when the Great Chicago Fire destroyed it in 1871.

The building displayed allegorical statues representing painting, sculpture, music, and commerce on its exterior, while composer portraits decorated the interior dome. This artistic decoration reflected its role as a cultural hub where artists and musicians gathered and performed.

The building occupied a central location with easy access from Washington Street and good connections to public transportation. The multi-story layout allowed many visitors to shop or attend performances simultaneously in different parts of the structure.

When the owner faced financial troubles in 1866, he organized a lottery with over 200,000 tickets to raffle off the entire building. This bold move shows how creatively business owners responded to money problems during that era.

Location: Chicago

GPS coordinates: 41.88350,-87.62860

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:51