A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WRIGHT OPERA HOUSE *

The city of Ouray, Colorado, was twelve years old when H. E. Wright built the Opera House in 1888. Wright recognized a need to improve the cultural opportunities of the small mountain town filled with dance halls, saloons, gambling dens and scarlet ladies. In the first few years the Thespian Society, made up of local townspeople, presented winter plays. In addition, the basement was used for a hardware store, church meetings and dances, and was even flooded for two winters for use as a skating rink.

The Opera House, with its decorative iron front structural style and cast iron piers supporting the pressed metal front of the second floor, was a source of great civic pride. Shows varied from piano and organ duets to birthday parties to theater productions and public speakers. In addition, the nearby Bon Ton and Beaumont restaurants, current Ouray landmarks, made dinner theater a popular evening activity.

Wright’s vision for the Opera House was to provide the community with high quality cultural and educational programs. The citizens of Ouray, however, came from a wide variety of backgrounds and tastes, and were not always ready for these offerings. Subsequently, it took some time for the venue to gain a regular following and book consistent programs.

Besides a sometimes fickle populace, Wright faced many other challenges as well. The Opera House barely escaped a catastrophe more than once. A mysterious fire, reported by the night watchman as a burning candle, was put out just in time. Two floods, which filled the basement with two feet of debris, caused the venue to shut down for some time. Despite these early difficulties, Wright remained determined to bring quality entertainment to Ouray.

In 1895, just ten years after the construction of the Wright Opera House, H.E. Wright died of pneumonia. Wright’s wife, Letitia, then assumed management of the building and business. She maintained control for a short time, finally succumbing to financial difficulties which forced her out of business.

The early Ouray citizens eventually learned to broaden their appreciation for not only the arts, but also for the grandeur and versatility of the Wright Opera House. Despite changing hands several times in the following years, the Opera House continued to serve the community in various ways. Before constructing an auditorium and gymnasium, the Ouray School used the Opera House for musicals, plays, graduations, basketball games and many other programs for which a good sized audience was expected. And, because the Opera House could seat upwards of four hundred, it was host to events drawing a large assembly and thus reflected important happenings in the history of Ouray, the state and sometimes the nation.

For example, in May 1899, Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, addressed a Wright Opera House audience of four hundred to acquaint the people with the purposes of the AFL and to recruit new members. Then, in July 1901, Ouray received a grand gift from Thomas F. Walsh: the Walsh Public Library. The dedication of the library was followed by one of the most magnificent balls ever held in the Wright Opera House. In September 1901, the Mayor of Ouray issued a proclamation to its citizens to come to the Wright Opera House for memorial services in honor of “our martyred President” William McKinley. Also, in May 1902, a funeral was held for Francis Carney, the Lieutenant Governor of the state of Colorado and resident of Ouray.

Throughout its storied history the Wright Opera House has continued to cater to the entertainment needs of the community. Today, the Opera House boasts over a hundred years of theatrical, musical and community activities. The legacy of the Wrights, and others who have come after, helped Ouray maintain a sense of culture and appreciation for arts and entertainment that is still provided by this historic and unique venue.


Historical information compiled from the book “History of the Wright Opera House” by Doris H. Gregory - Available for purchase from the Ouray County Historical Society.