Recently I was asked by Millett’s Opera House Foundation to share a little about myself and Millett’s Opera House during the time I was its Owner and General Manager. October 23rd, 2018 is the 140th anniversary of Millett’s Opera House’s grand opening October 23rd 1878.
In 1854, my brother and I arrived in Austin, Texas, poor but skilled as carpenters. At 110 Ash Street-today the address is 110 East 9th Street- we purchased a property and started a business selling plain and specialty cut lumber, shingles, laths and builders supplies of all kinds. When the American Civil War broke out most men volunteered; I was no exception, fighting on the side of the Confederacy even though Austin voted to remain a part of the United States.
As soon as hostilities ended, I returned to Austin, resumed my lumber and construction company. In 1866, I was appointed the first Fire Chief of Austin, for an all-volunteer fire fighting organization. I had seen enough fire and destruction both in Austin and during my time fighting in the Civil War that I regularly urged everyone in Austin to consider adopting strict fire and safety codes like those that existed in the Northern cities. I continued my campaign for fire safety for the rest of my life including as an Austin city councilman, a position to which I first was elected in 1877.
In my capacity as a private citizen, a Fire Chief, a business owner, City of Austin elected official and special committee member sanitation, inspection, water and other community needs, I urged everyone who would listen to support our fire fighters and adopt strict fire and safety building standards, something that cities in the South and Texas did not have at the time. Meanwhile, Austin burned! The State Capital Building, State Blind Asylum Building, the Austin Hook and Ladder Station House, even Millett’ Opera House while under construction caught fire. Many fires during this time resulted in catastrophic property loss and death.
In 1878, I moved my lumber business from Ash Street to a location two blocks west of the International & Great Northern Railroad Railway depot to accommodate all the growth in my business and to more easily receive shipments. The unused space at 110 Ash Street gave me the idea to build an opera house and a short-term luxury boarding house on the spot. I built Millett’s Opera House and Millett’s Mansion, with the design provided by my friend Frederick Ernst Ruffini who I had worked with on a number of other projects. We started construction beginning early in 1878 and completed it in by late summer of 1878.
Beginning with this issue of Austin Clubber, I will share with you what occurred in and around Millett’s Opera House during every two-month period 140 years ago and conclude with a few interesting observations by your current General Manager Kenneth Richardson about Millett’s Opera House now. More detailed descriptions and links to other fun facts and figures will appear at: https://millettoperahouse.com and a new Millett’s Opera House Facebook is currently under construction. Enjoy the Show!