Abbeville Opera House (1908)
Abbeville was a railway stopover for "road companies" traveling eastern seaboard from New York to Atlanta so town included an Opera House in its new municipal building designed by Edwards & Walter of Atlanta.
• Dedicated October 1st, 1908 along with Court House
• October 10th "The Great Divide" opened on its 7500 square foot stage
• Many well known artists appeared in 250 live performances staged by traveling companies including dramas, minstrel shows, vaudeville
• 1910 "moving pictures" began playing weekly alongside stage shows
• Live theatre ceased in the late 1920s when "talkies" arrived
• Closed its doors early 1960s
• Fully restored in 1968 by Abbeville Community Theatre with live performances staged year round again
Designated "State Rural Drama Theatre of South Carolina" in 2002
Marker is at the intersection of Court Square (State Highway 20) and East Pickens Street, on the right when traveling north on Court Square.
Courtesy hmdb.org
