Tibbits Opera House
| Tibbits Opera House | |
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Tibbits Opera House after restoration
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Location | 14 S. Hanchett St., Coldwater, MI 49036 |
| Coordinates | 41°56′26″N 85°00′15″W / 41.94056°N 85.00411°WCoordinates: 41°56′26″N 85°00′15″W / 41.94056°N 85.00411°W |
| Completed | 1882 |
| Designated | December 11, 1970 |
Tibbits Opera House is the second-oldest theatre in Michigan, having been built in 1882. Rich in history and ambiance, even today the theatre offers theatre-goers nearly perfect acoustics, an intimate 499-seat setting, and a fine array of performances throughout the year. Barton S. Tibbits originally built the opera house with wisdom and vision. The aim was high art, timeless architecture, excellent acoustics, splendid furnishing and the finest of entertainment. Tibbits put Coldwater on the map as one of the few small cities in the nation with a social and cultural center of such grandeur. Thanks to the forward-thinking individuals who saved the opera house from destruction in the 1960s, the citizens of Branch County still have the opportunity to experience the opera house and the cultural activities valued so highly by its early residents.
Because Coldwater was on the main railway between Detroit and Chicago, news traveled from cities where entertainment and cultural activities were already well established. As an area with plenty of lakes and forested parks, Coldwater also attracted city folk as a resort destination. In 1882, when the theatre was built, Coldwater was a day's trip from either Detroit or Chicago, which resulted in Coldwater's becoming a natural stopping point for visitors and theatre performers traveling the byway. Accordingly, Coldwater residents developed a strong interest in art, culture and literature.
Barton S. Tibbits, the mayor of Coldwater at the time, accepted a challenge to build an opera house in Coldwater. Art Gallery owner H.C. Lewis first proposed that he and Tibbits fund and build an opera house in response to pressure from local newspapers with each man raising $8,000 for the venture, but Lewis soon backed down. Tibbits forged ahead alone, declaring he would "build an opera house if it 'bust' my factory", referring to his cigar business in town.
At the dedication of the theatre, Tibbits offered two reasons for building the theatre. To a gathered audience, he said,
"Through two motives I was stimulated to make this investment. The first was to erect a monument to my memory that every man, woman and child in Coldwater would appreciate. Second, I would show the unhappy dissatisfied portion of our community that I was not selfish, but ready and willing to do anything in my power to beautify and ornament our city. The old time worn saying that Coldwater is behind the times, and has no respectable place of amusement, tonight passes into oblivion, and with more pleasure than I am able to express I present for your inspection this evening a theatre unequaled in any city the size of Coldwater."
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Wikipedia