Grand Opera House
( Dryfus Theater )
| Dates: | 1872-1873, burned April 1914, demolished after 1916 |
| Location: | South side of Columbia Street between Sixth and Seventh, Lafayette, Indiana |
| architect: | Edwin May, of Indianapolis |
| Contractor: | Joshua Chew |
| Carpenters: | Creagor & Workman |
| Cost: | about $60,000 |
| Remodeled: | 1901 |
| Architect: | J. F. Alexander & Son |
| Cost: | bet. $23,000-$40,000 |
The Grand Opera House was built during 1872-1873 to replace the earlier Lafayette Opera House which was destroyed by fire in 1869. In the early part of 1872 an association was formed to build a new Opera House in Lafayette. The Lafayette Weekly Journal of March 1, 1872, contained an article about the LaFayette Opera-house Association’s meeting on the evening of February 26. Thirteen directors were elected: Richard Benbridge, Ira G. Howe, Charles Wise, John G. Sample, John R. Coffroth, W. S. Lingle, Adams Earl, F. Scheuch, F. Geiger, John B. Ruger, Dr. R. M. O’Ferrall, Col. W. C. Wilson, and James Spears.
Indianapolis architect Edwin May, who later designed the state capitol, was hired by the directors and a site on the south side of Columbia street between Sixth and Seventh was acquired. Joshua Chew was hired as the general contractor and Creagor and Workman as the carpenters. After the completion of the building, the directors met to review the plans for opening night.
The Opera House remained a success through the early twentieth century, later known as the Dryfus Theater, before it was destroyed by fire in April, 1914. The ruins of the building were not fully removed until sometime after March 22, 1916 as they appear in a photograph of the victory parade of the Jefferson High School basketball team after they had won the state championship.
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| Elevation published in the Lafayette Sunday Morning Leader, May 21, 1876 | View of exterior in 1887 |
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| Postcard view, c.1910, after remodeling by J. F. Alexander & Son (note lowered entrance, new marquee) | Ruins of the Dryfus Theater (highlighted) during a parade, March 22, 1916 |
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| The J. F. Horner Building (1924), built on the site of the Grand Opera House |