#30 National Bank / Knights of Pythias / Opera House
#30 – National Bank/Knights of Pythias/Opera House – 195 North 1st Street (empty lot) (389)
The Opera House provided music and vaudeville productions for residents. Vaudeville in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition or light poetry, interspersed with songs or ballets. It became popular in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s, but the idea of vaudeville's theatre changed radically from its French antecedent.
Walk through the parking lot and along the alley to see the back of the oldest buildings, where the original brickwork is more visible than on the front. After the block between A and B Streets burned in 1883, they were constructed of the brick you see today. For culture, one should mention the Opera House, located on the property presently occupied by the First Northern Bank drive-ins with the offices upstairs. Many of the programs were black minstrel shows, locally conceived and played. LuLu Evans, an opera star and daughter of Dr. Evans of Dixon also performed.
The Opera House was close in proximity to many iconic businesses. This General Merchandise store was owned by Oscar Schulze (1823-1910) born in Dresden, Germany. He immigrated to New York when he was 26 years old. He was a cabinet maker by trade. He resided in Havana, Cuba for a while and then joined the gold rush to Coloma for he lived for several years. Not having success in the gold fields, he moved to Lima, Peru where he met his wife, Anna. Three sons were born to them while in Peru, Oscar Carl, Federico Otto, and Paul. In 1866, they returned to California and lived in San Francisco where son, Gustave was born. They eventually moved to Dixon and had a business for eighteen years. Oscar died in 1910 and Anna Schulze died about 1903. Mr. Schulze donated the land that the original Veteran’s Memorial Hall is built on.
Dixon Opera House is the property of H A Ross. It is large, commodious, and has the capacity to accommodate a good audience. The stage is roomy and suited to the requirements of the largest traveling troupes. The hall is excellently lit and seated, and its acoustic properties are the very finest.
Opera House and Alley West B Street
The Opera House provided music and vaudeville productions for residents. Vaudeville in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition or light poetry, interspersed with songs or ballets. It became popular in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s, but the idea of vaudeville's theatre changed radically from its French antecedent.
Walk through the parking lot and along the alley to see the back of the oldest buildings, where the original brickwork is more visible than on the front. After the block between A and B Streets burned in 1883, they were constructed of the brick you see today. For culture, one should mention the Opera House, located on the property presently occupied by the First Northern Bank drive-ins with the offices upstairs. Many of the programs were black minstrel shows, locally conceived and played. LuLu Evans, an opera star and daughter of Dr. Evans of Dixon also performed.
B street looking east from corner of Jackson Street. C. 1890. Opera House building on the left. Carriages and mules hitched to hitching posts on the street.
View of downtown Dixon looking northwest from top of building on Main Street. 1895? The large, roofed building on the right of the photo is the Opera House building. The railroad station is in the middle of the photo in front of the railroad freight cars. The large, square building in the distance is the Dixon Roller Mills building. Long warehouse to the left.
B St. in Dixon, Calif. looking west toward railroad depot. First National Bank on sw corner of First and B Street. Opera House west of the bank. Oscar Schulze General Merchandise store on nw corner of B St. 1920 circa.
The Opera House was close in proximity to many iconic businesses. The railroad depot was West on B Street. First National Bank was located on the Southwest corner of First and B Street. A General Merchandise Store was located on the Northwest corner of B Street. This General Merchandise store was owned by Oscar Schulze (1823-1910) born in Dresden, Germany. He immigrated to New York when he was 26 years old. He was a cabinet maker by trade. He resided in Havana, Cuba for a while and then joined the gold rush to Coloma for he lived for several years. Not having success in the gold fields, he moved to Lima, Peru where he met his wife, Anna. Three sons were born to them while in Peru, Oscar Carl, Federico Otto, and Paul. In 1866 they returned to California and lived in San Francisco where son, Gustave was born. They eventually moved to Dixon and had a business for eighteen years. Oscar died in 1910 and Anna Schulze died about 1903 (courtesy Dixon Public Library) Mr. Schulze donated the land that the Veteran’s Memorial Hall is built on.
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Esther Bryce
Founder / Interior designer
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Broker
Jaden Smith
Architect
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Photographer