Every so often, it’s fun to step back in time to discover how Ouray was shaped into what it is. The Wright Opera House is among the many building blocks that have contributed to shaping Ouray, and future visitors can still see it today in its location of Main Street.
The Wright Opera House’s story begins in 1881. The Wright siblings spent their money on several lots near Main Street. Once the Wright Brothers Building was built, the brothers concentrated their efforts on boosting Ouray’s cultural sights, aiming to reinvent the city’s somewhat sleazy image into one where children and adults could find some wholesome entertainment and maybe even learn a thing or two. As a result, plans for the Wright Opera House were put into motion.
Wright Opera House welcomed visitors for the first time on December 4, 1888. As late as the 1890s, it stood alongside buildings like the Ouray County Court House and the Beaumont Hotel as one of its most impressive structures. Despite its magnificence, several years went by before the Wright Opera House started becoming active. Once the mining craze started to die down, activities and attendance surged.
Nowadays, Wright Opera House remains a popular tourist attraction and it holds the distinction of being on the United States National Register of Historic Places.
This update is provided by the Ouray vacation rentals of Alpenglow, located in Ouray, Colorado and presented by Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs. We provide unique Ouray Colorado condos and townhouses located near some of the best restaurants, shops, and activities in the city. Call 866.739.4917 or 970.919.0380 for more information or to make your reservation.