Stop 7 – Opera House

1827 Parmenter Street
Middleton WI 53562

Historic photo of a two-story brick building with a horse-drawn carriage in front, several people standing by the entrance, dated architecture and signage visible.

Black and white photo of a two-story brick building with several people standing and sitting outside on a dirt road. Some windows are open, and there is a bicycle leaning against the building.

Two-story beige brick building with storefronts on the ground floor. Signs for a market and a salon are visible. A bench and a leafless tree are in front. Sky is partly cloudy.

About

Downtown Middleton Historic Walking Trail and Historic Landmark Trail Stop Seven:

The original building on this site, known as the ‘Opera House’, was constructed in 1855 and contained a hotel, saloon, and opera house on the second floor for various community events. Years later, the original ‘Opera House’ was completely destroyed by the Middleton Fire of 1900.

Soon after the fire, in 1901, an architecturally similar building to the original ‘Opera House’ was constructed and called the ‘Elks Hotel’. Throughout the lower level of the Elks Hotel there was a saloon, dining room, and various stores, while the upper level had hotel rooms and a large hall. The hall served as a community center that provided space for public gatherings, dances, basket socials, old-time medicine shows, high school plays, and many other community activities.

Status: Today, the lower level houses several retail stores that are open to customers, including Chauette, Little Pop Color Shop and John and Christine Designs. The upstairs have been converted into private apartments that are not open to the public.