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Friends of the PO Box 17 |
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Mission Statement - The mission of Friends of the Wright Opera House is to purchase and preserve the historic Wright Opera House so as to provide a shared, centralized venue for a coalition of Ouray County arts organizations, thus enabling them to promote artistic, cultural, and educational opportunities for all and thereby link the community with its heritage and foster increased economic growth in the County.
Appraisal of the Building - A commercial appraisal by Larry Riddel, a certified appraiser of commercial property, was made of the Wright Opera House in 2008. The value of the structured was determined to be $1,000,000. Donations - Any individual or business that donates $50.00 or more are eligible for a 25% Colorado state tax credit through Region 10 of the Colorado Department of Economic Development. The tax credit for Colorado income tax is for donations from $50 to $100,000. |
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Once “The Friends” have acquired the Wright Opera House and have it on the tax rolls as owned and operated by a non-profit organization, we have exciting plans for it’s future. Our vision is to convert this grand old lady into a vibrant, active, where it is happening place that is located in a comfortable, historic, old opera house. We definitely want to maintain the Wright’s historic heritage and charm, and plan to apply for and receive National Historic Register status, but we also know that upgrades will be necessary. By keeping all the present tenants in their rented spaces and not having to pay property taxes, the Wright will have a positive cash flow from the onset. Phase Two of our efforts will be to raise funds to make the ‘great old box of a theater’ upstairs into a great sounding performance hall. This will require new audio and lighting systems in addition to modification of the walls and ceiling to allow better acoustics. We see a need to keep the theater as a multiple functioning room as the floor is level rather than sloped. Upgrading the present chairs with some or all collapsible or removal seating will allow the space to be used for weddings, parties. meetings and more. The Wright cannot be expanded in width, but there is room in the back to build out to the alley which would increase its size considerably. One of the problems in having a repertory theater performing out of the Wright is lack of storage space. An addition beginning directly behind the stage would allow storage for props, dressing rooms, bathrooms, and more. The addition on the main floor could be for a fully operating kitchen, which would allow dinner and culinary events to be held in the Wright. Obviously these visions of expansion are years and many dollars away. However, “The Friends” do see immediate improvements in the quality and quantity of wholesome, enjoyable entertainment available right here in Ouray County. We want to develop our own entertainment personality, and create a feeling among everyone of owning a portion of this remarkable community asset. |
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Recent Dance Recital
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The Nutcracker Performance 2008 |
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H Stage 1899 small.jpg) |
The Wright Opera House was built in 1888 by Francis Carney, the builder of many of Ouray's more significant early structures for the owners, Ed and George Wright and their wives, Letitia and Lenora. The two brothers, who arrived here from Canada via Silverton and Howardsville, Colorado, made their fortune through mining in the Mount Sneffles Mining District up Canyon Creek near Ouray in 1875. They filed a certificate of location for the Wheel of Fortune Mine in 1875 and sold it in 1877 for a great profit. In 1881, the brothers purchased several lots at the southwestern corner of Third Street (Main Street/Highway 550), where they first built the Wright Brothers Building, a two-story brick structure that was considered "a wonder of the time." A few years later, to the south of this earlier building, the Wright brothers began construction of the Wright Opera House because Ed Wright and his wife, Letitia, believed that the populace of Ouray needed to be provided with cultural opportunities to offset the influence of the dance halls, saloons, gambling dens, and houses of ill repute. They wanted to create a decent establishment that would feature cultural and educational programs of high quality for the entertainment and enlightenment of the young people and adults within the community. Together with the Beaumont Hotel, Ouray County Court House, School House, and Miners Hospital (which now houses the Ouray County Museum), the Wright Opera House was one of the most imposing brick structures in Ouray during the late 1880s and early 1890s. This building "with its decorative iron front structural style and cast iron piers supporting the pressed metal front of the second floor was an addition the town could be proud of. Above the middle window of the second floor was a stained glass window and at the top and center of the building in pressed iron WRIGHTS HALL was clearly visible. A wrought-iron balcony extended in front of the three middle windows on the second floor," all of which was manufactured by Mesker Brothers Iron Works of St. Louis, Missouri. It is one of about 19 structures on Ouray's Main Street that are believed to be Mesker iron facades, which makes Ouray's Main Street what is believed to be one of the largest concentration of Mesker fronts still extant in the United States. The hall was entered through a door level with a sidewalk on Third (Main) Street on the north end of the building and a stairway led up to the hall with the ticket office at the top." According to Darius Bryka of the Illinois Department of Historic Preservation and the expert on Mesker buildings, the Wright Opera House is the finest example of a Mesker Building that he has seen in the United States. The grand opening of the Wright Opera House was held on December 4, 1888, with a benefit concert and ball given by the Magnolia Band to pay for uniforms. Later that month on December 19, 1888, Professors David and Laux provided a musical program consisting of piano and organ duets. A number of years elapsed before the local residents began to accept this new cultural center for Ouray. Attendance was spotty until the collapse of the mining era. Then more and more activities were held in the Wright Opera House, including cultural activities for the school. Musicians were brought from Denver and other more culturally rich areas to perform for the people in Ouray County. Finally the Wright Opera House became the center of activities for the city of Ouray and the remainder of the County during the early part of the 20th century. After a number of years of relative non-use of the Wright Opera House, it is once again being used for cultural events for the public. This structure which is very visible on Main Street makes a very significant contribution to the Ouray Historic District as stated in the Catherine Norman Survey of 2005 and is also a candidate for an individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places. |
Stage decoration for San Juan Masonic meeting June 24, 1899
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Costume Party 1914
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Photo of building 1914
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Cast photo from a play on Oct 1st and 2nd 1891 |
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Exterior Wright Opera House Today |
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If you are lover of the San Juan Mountains, the historic mining communities, and especially of Ouray, CO, please help us save the historic Wright Opera House. This building will enhance the future of this area and provide a place for the arts to flourish. Any contribution is welcome. Any individual or business that donates $50.00 or more are eligible for a 25% Colorado state tax credit through Region 10 of the Colorado Department of Economic Development. Checks should be sent to Jim Opdahl, treasurer, P.O. Box 1021, Ouray, CO 81427. For more information and to make a pledge to support this effort, you can email
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First Floor Interior Today |
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