Aspen Nightlife - The Wheeler Opera House

The Wheeler Opera House has been an integralHowever, in 1979, the city decided to restore the
part of Aspen nightlife, history, and culture sinceOpera House to its original grandeur, and this
1889 when Mr. J.B Wheeler and the Conriedrestoration was completed in 1984. The cost was
Company presented The King's Fool. While the4.5 million dollars. Today, the Wheeler Opera
building started out as an Opera House, it wasHouse is on the National Registrar of Historical
only used for town meetings and such by 1893,Places.
when the silver mines had played out.Many events, such as lectures, concerts, plays,
The Wheeler Opera House remained open untilfilms, and musicals are held at The Wheeler Opera
1912 when it was gutted by not one, but twoHouse today. You can see Broadway shows, jazz
fires in one week! The Opera House did not openconcerts, country and rock concerts, and even
again until June of 1946 when it was leased bychildren's theater here. Any type of cultural event
the Aspen Company. The total restoration wentyou can imagine is held here - and shows are
on until 1960. Between the years of 1912 andscheduled throughout the year. Locals consider
1946 the Wheeler Opera House remained empty,the Wheeler Opera House the 'crown jewel of
and it was used as a playground by the localAspen. ' Nationwide, it is considered a world class
children.theater - and with the detailed woodwork it is
During the 1960's and 1970's, The Wheeler Operacertainly a sight to behold!
House was mainly used as a movie theater.