History

Our History

The history of the Woodland Opera House is a rich tapestry of stories waiting to be told. While our current History page offers a brief overview, we are hard at work crafting a much more comprehensive history that will immerse you in the colorful past of this beloved cultural landmark and locate the Opera House in the broader history of the region and timeframe.

In the coming months, expect to find archival photographs, audio recordings, and timelines that bring the Woodland Opera House's storied legacy to life. From its early days as a hub of community entertainment to its restoration and revitalization, every chapter of this historic theater's journey will be thoughtfully preserved and presented.

So stay tuned, theater fans - the full history of the Woodland Opera House will soon unfold before your eyes. We're excited to share this labor of love and offer you a deeper connection to the rich cultural heritage that this magnificent venue represents.

Additionally, we understand that our knowledge of the Opera House and the surrounding region is necessarily incomplete and that there are likely members of our community with interesting and important stories, media, or relics that will add to a more complete understanding of our historic Opera House. We encourage community members to contribute to our archive. If you are in possession of stories, media, or antiques related to the history of the Woodland Opera House, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Pre-Restoration

Built in 1885, the original Opera House burned down in the 1892 fire that destroyed much of downtown Woodland. It was rebuilt on the same site, using some of the remaining foundations and bricks from the walls, reopening in 1896. The WOH became the stopping place for such performers as Nance O’Neil, James A Herne, and Harry Davenport. The great Polish actress Madame Helen Modjeska, John Philip Sousa and his band, comics Weber and Fields, George M. Cohan’s troupe, “Gentleman Jim” Corbett and John L. Sullivan (who appeared in theatrical production followed by exhibitions of “Fistcuffs”), and such up and coming young motion picture stars as Sidney Greenstreet, Walter Huston, and Verna Felton.
Over 300 touring companies had appeared on its stage by 1913 when the opera house, due to the encroachment of motion pictures in the valley and partly as a result of a lawsuit over an injury, was closed and remained boarded up until 1971. The Yolo County Historical Society purchased the building in 1971 to ensure that it did not fall to the wrecking ball and bulldozer. Declared a state historical park in 1976, the Historical Society gave the property to the State of California in 1980, and in 1981 the restoration began.

Restoration

The Restoration: California State Historic Landmark #851, reopened in January of 1989 after a seven-year, $2,000,000+ restoration project. For the first time in nearly eight decades, the venerable brick building in the heart of California’s fertile Sacramento Valley, began to offer live entertainment on a year-round basis. From its first season beginning in the fall of 1989, the WOH has consistently captured regional Elly and Local Chesley theater nominations and awards. The WOH is made up of actors and technicians from throughout the area with some commuting up to 70 miles to perform. The WOH mounts 5 Mainstage productions from August to June, a youth theater camp in August, and the Theatre for Families program throughout the year, each production running from 2 to 4 weekends.

During the restoration, the building was made structurally safe and “earthquake proofed." Central heat and air-conditioning, a sprinkler and alarm system, and handicap access were added. An annex was built to house the necessary mechanical equipment, along with administrative office space, a will-call counter, the mid-level Lounge, and rooftop exterior deck. In 1990, with the help of the Woodland Rotary Club, the south side grassy “Rotary Court” was added to compliment the City’s Heritage Plaza. The interior of the Opera House has been painstakingly restored to the grandeur it enjoyed at the turn of the century. Careful attention was paid to reproduction of the wallpaper friezes, paint colors, and carpeting. The main floor carpet was manufactured in England and shipped to the Opera House for installation. Comfortable main floor theater seating was built on the East Coast for installation, and the historic pew-like benches in the balcony area were repaired or carefully replaced.

Additional Facts

The stage contained a modern, computerized lighting system and was capable of handling most sound needs through a multi-channel sound board, Qlab and other state-of-the-art technologies. A hemp-line system, using historically correct rope and sandbags, was used to rig WOH’s stagehouse instead of the computerized and counter-weighted system more modern theatres often utilize. One hemp-line and sandbag remain as a sample for tours of our historic theatre. The WOH sometimes used the “wing and drop” scenery one associates with pre-20th century theatrical productions.

The building is owned by the State of California but management is by a professional staff. Though the building is owned by the State, it receives no financial support from the State of California, Yolo County, nor the City of Woodland - Woodland Opera House is completely self sufficient.

WOH is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1971), inventory of Historic Sites in Yolo County (1972), was on the Historic American Building Survey (1966) and listed in the Woodland Historical Zone (1971). Named California Registered Historical Landmark #851 in 1973, the Opera House was made a state historical park in 1976. No park rangers are on the premises, however.

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Celebrating Our Past, Dreaming Our Future.