Muscogee County GaArchives Photo Place.....Historic Marker:  Springer Opera House  April 2006
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Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 May 21, 2006, 5:17 pm

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  Springer Opera House

Theater in Columbus found its finest home on February 27, 1871,
when FRANCIS JOSEPH SPRINGER, originally of Alsace, opened his
opera house. The Springer's forty-foot deep stage held a continuous
round of shows of every description.
Here EDWIN BOOTH played Hamlet February 15, 1876, on his first
Southern tour after the war."BLIND TOM" BETHUNE, the Negro Musical
prodigy born near Columbus, performed here often. OSCAR WILDE
and WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN lectured here. JOHN L. SULLVAN, the world
champion gave a boxing exhibition; and Mrs. JOHN DREW, grandmother
of the BARRYMORES, starred in She Stoops to Conquer. Here, in 1928
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT delivered a "Happy Warrior" speech in 
behalf of presidential nominee, AL SMITH.
In 1902 the Springer sons completely renovated their opera house
From that time until it became a movie house in 1941, the Springer
continued to be the city's cultural center.
In 1959 the Springer closed, and in the Spring of 1964, the 
Columbus Little Theater Opera House Trustees was formed to prevent
its destruction. On October, 6, 1965. The Little Theater's muscial
production of St Elmo, based upon the Victorian novel by Columbus
born author, AUGUSTA EVANS WILSON, was presented amidst the Springer's
restored Victorian splender. 

    Georgia Historical Commission    








Springer Opera House
 103  10th Street.             



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