The C.F. Millett’s building team commenced the construction of Millett’s Opera House early 1878. We proceeded on schedule without any unfortunate events for many months. In July of 1878 all construction briefly was halted to host the State Democratic Convention inside Millett’s Opera House. Millett’s Opera house was designed to seat approximately 1,500 but an estimated 2,000 exuberant party members squeezed in to the interiors of the opera house. It was reported in Austin Weekly Statesman, but hotly disputed by many who observed the delegates to be in short sleeved shirts, that of the 1,400 delegates to the convention, more than 1, 000 carried concealed firearms. No injuries were reported. On July 4th, I left Austin in the company of my friend, the renown architect Frederick Ernst Ruffini to inspect theatres in Northern cities. We returned several weeks later, accompanied by eight hundred cushioned arm chairs which we installed in Millett’s Opera House just as soon as the last of the delegates to the convention departed. After much negotiating with various performing artists, the first of the proposed performances to be offered Grand Opening Week October 23rd,1878 was announced. Coquette, “……an American play of classical merit native in diction and incidents…” was to be performed in a benefit for the Austin Library Association using an all amateur actors who were well known Austin residents. You will have to read the September -October 2018 issue of Austin Clubber to learn what really happened to the proposed performance of Coquette, My friend and fellow Millett’s Opera House General Manager, Ken Richardson, noted that while nothing rivaling a 2,000-delegate convention will occur inside Millett’s Opera House during July or August, the arson fire which occurred in the early morning hours of Monday June 18th, 2018 certainly caused a great deal of excitement and briefly postponed the restoration work scheduled for the interiors. Mr. Richardson commented that the skill and tremendous commitment of the entire Austin Club staff allowed full operations to resume only one (1) day after the fire. My friend Mr. Richardson also noted several times that the state of the art fire sprinkler system which was installed to comply with City of Austin Fire and Safety Codes- some of the strictest in the United States- began pumping water almost immediately after the fire was started and probably saved the building from complete loss. Mr. Richardson also was kind to note that my influence as City Fire Chief, City Councilman and private citizen to adopt strict fire and safety codes in Austin lay a foundation beginning in 1866 upon which strict fire and safety codes began and continued.

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!