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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Guest Opinion: Plaza fencing is ugly and wasteful ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Require national service ... Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Guest Opinion: Plaza fencing is ugly and wasteful ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Require national service ... AS IT WAS As It Was: Built in 1902, Medford Opera House burned down in 1912 Comment By Luana (Loffer) Corbin DailyTidings.com By Luana (Loffer) Corbin Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 5:34 PM By Luana (Loffer) Corbin Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 5:34 PM » Social News Work began on J.R. Wilson’s new opera house in Medford on May 9, 1902, and a grand opening was held in July. The owners touted the wooden building as one of the finest, best furnished and safest in a fire of any public hall in Southern Oregon. A fuse in the electric lighting system burned out and delayed the evening program at the grand opening. Minstrel shows, moving pictures using Edison’s marvelous machine, musicians and plays soon graced the stage. It also hosted political events, including talks on taxation, prohibition and women’s suffrage. By 1911, the building, located near the intersection of Eighth and Central streets, was too small for the size of the audiences and traveling theater companies. On Oct. 3, 1912, a mysterious fire started outside the building, but was extinguished before causing damage. A few days later an inside fire at 5 o’clock in the afternoon destroyed the building. Ironically, the name of the current play was “Bought And Paid For,” and could be seen through the flames. Insurance covered $1,500 of the estimated $5,000 loss of the building. Source: “Medford Opera House sparks interest,” Since You Asked, Mail Tribune, 29 Sept. 2012. Web. 9 Dec. 2014. As It Was is a co-production of Jefferson Public Radio and the Southern Oregon Historical Society. As It Was stories are broadcast weekdays on Jefferson Public Radio and are available online at asitwas.org . By Luana (Loffer) Corbin DailyTidings.com By Luana (Loffer) Corbin Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 5:34 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501