HISTORY

Join the Palmer Lake Historical Society for an informative journey back in time as Beth Barrett presents the results of her research into historic theaters of the Front Range. In the late nineteenth century, frontier optimism and the wealth generated by mining led many people in towns across Colorado to believe their communities were on the brink of greatness. Their aspirations often culminated in the construction of an opera house or theater to mark their town as having graduated from mining camp to civilized settlement. However, the word ‘theatre’ often had an unwholesome ring to the ears of our pioneer ancestors, considering that everything from a dance hall to a saloon was referred to as a "theatre." Beth and her late husband, Dan, combined their love of theater and music history to explore the story of early entertainment in Colorado culminating in the book, High Drama: Colorado’s Historic Theatres. This book is partly a history of structures, ranging from survivors like the Central City Opera House and the Tabor Opera House in Leadville to long-gone halls in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. It’s a history of the buildings - and of changing times. Before the railroads arrived in the mining towns, a troupe might stay a week. Once it was easier to get around, entertainers generally performed for a couple of nights before moving on. There was a “Gold Circuit” which involved Denver and Central City, and a longer “Silver Circuit” through Pueblo, Salida, and Leadville. Sarah Bernhardt was a frequent performer in the theaters of Colorado.