Title: Lawrence J. Hill
Dates: 1983-1985
Collection Number: 11339
Quantity: 1 foot
Abstract: Hill's research on opera houses in 49 cities in North Dakota. Each file contains information such as slides, photos, newspaper clippings, notes made by Hill while conducting the research, and some letters from individuals in those cities. Some folders have much more information than others. Each file has a listing on the front of the various materials enclosed. The collection also includes: a description of the project; a listing of the opera houses in North Dakota (compiled by Hill); two advertisements for a "Day In, Day Out, a Joint North Dakota/South Dakota Humanities Symposium held October 20-22, 1989, in Bismarck, NO; a publication of the MidAmerica Theatre Conference: "Opera Houses of the Midwest," published in 1988 and the "Northwood Diamond Jubilee 1884-1959."
The collection is of value to those studying the history of entertainment in the small towns and cities of North Dakota from the 1880s-1940s. In particular, the slides which show "ad drops" (usually a scene such as woodlands surrounded by advertisements from various merchants in the town) are valuable in that they give the history of the city merchants at that time. The elaborateness of the drop reflects the amount of money spent on its creation. The drops range from those created by itinerant or local painters and those created by professional scenic designers. Sossman and Landis was the most important scenic company in the upper Midwest and was based in Chicago (see Jamestown among others). Peter Clausen was the first Minneapolis scenic painter (see Wahpeton).
Provenance: The collection was donated to the SHSND by Lawrence J. Hill on December 12, 2017.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code or an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Description of history project: researching, cataloging, photographing, and collating material on the
theatres, opera houses and performance halls in North Dakota by Lawrence J. Hill: The material in this collection contains an examination and review of the halls, opera houses, and
theaters that were the entertainment centers for most of the communities in North Dakota from the
1880's into the 1930's and 1940's. The larger opera houses in the state held the most famous touring
companies playing the "road." Even in smaller communities, the halls booked regional professional
entertainers. At all the locations, the local community used the spaces for such diverse events as
basketball, dances, lodge meetings, local performances of choral and theatrical groups and a wide range
of professional entertainments.
My travels throughout North Dakota were guided by the records of more than 420 known locations equipped to hold performances. My research found that almost every community attempted to provide some location for entertainment, both professionally and locally produced. Many of the smaller buildings exist and still hold scenery and artifacts that tell us about those evenings of entertainment that constituted much of the social life of the northern prairie. Some buildings held 100 people and a stage with an "advertising drop"; others held 1,000 people with elaborate scenery and ornate decoration on the balconies and ceiling. While time has been unkind to these buildings, there have been several restorations, and many more recent attempts to record information about these entertainment centers. Several important buildings and artifacts have been saved. Under the auspices of a North Dakota Humanities Council Fellowship, I photographed many of the existing buildings and their contents.
The material collected ranges from communities such as Grace City and Heimdal with professional scenery, to locally produced drops at an existing hall in Antler, to the surviving opera houses at Ellendale and Lisbon, to a history of one of the most active opera houses in the state at Jamestown.
At the time of this research, roughly 1983-1985, the author was an associate professor of theatre arts at the University of North Dakota. His research about North Dakota performance sites is part of a seven state project of the Mid-America Theatre Conference concerned with the preservation of performance centers in a seven state region. This project encompassed the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.
Box/Folder Inventory
Box 1:
1 Index of opera houses in North Dakota by city 1983-1985
2 Documentation of project: Description of the theatre history project by Lawrence J. Hill, Ph.D. and
Advertisement for Day Out
3 Adams (Items: 00001-00002) 1983-1985
4 Akra 1983-1985
5 Ambrose (Items: 00003) 1983-1985
6 Antler (Items: 00004-00009) 1983-1985
7 Ashley 1983-1985
8 Bowbells 1983-1985
9 Cando 1983-1985
10 Carrington 1983-1985
11 Cogswell 1983-1985
12 Dunn Center (Items: 00010-00017) 1983-1985
13 Ellendale (Items: 00018-00035) 1983-1985
14 Fargo (Items: 00036-00037) 1983-1985
15 Flaxton 1983-1985
16 Fortuna (Items: 00038-00048) 1983-1985
17 Gardar (Items: 00049) 1983-1985
18 Grace City (Items: 00050-00051) 1983-1985
19 Grafton 1983-1985
20 Grand Forks 1983-1985
21 Grand Rapids (Items: 00052-00055) 1983-1985
22 Hamburg (Items: 00056) 1983-1985
23 Hankinson 1983-1985
24 Heimdal (Items: 00057-00063) 1983-1985
25 Jamestown (Items: 00064-00095) 1983-1985
26 Kenmare (Items: 00096-00097) 1983-1985
27 Lakota 1983-1985
28 Langdon 1983-1985
29 Lankin 1983-1985
30 Lidgerwood (Items: 00098-00119) 1983-1985
31 Lisbon (Items: 00120-00157) 1983-1985
32 McClusky 1983-1985
33 Maddock (Items: 00158-00164) 1983-1985
34 Mandan 1983-1985
35 Melville (Items: 00165-00167) 1983-1985
Box 2:
1 Millarton (Items: 00168-00170) 1983-1985
2 Milnor (Items: 00171-00172) 1983-1985
3 Minot 1983-1985
4 Minto (Items: 00173-00182) 1983-1985
5 Montpelier (Items: 00183) 1983-1985
6 Neche (Items: 00184-00188) 1983-1985
7 New Rockford (Items: 00189-00193) 1983-1985
8 Niobe (Items: 00194-00195) 1983-1985
9 Northwood (Items: 00196-00205) 1983-1985
10 Pekin (Items: 00206) 1983-1985
11 Rawson 1983-1985
12 Ray 1983-1985
13 Rugby 1983-1985
14 Valley City 1983-1985
15 Velva (Items: 00207-00213) 1983-1985
16 Wahpeton (Items: 00214-00215) 1983-1985
17 Miscellaneous: Crystal, Minnewaukan, Silva, Watford City and Williston 1983-1985
18 Unidentified slides (Items: 00216-00224) 1983-1985
19 Unidentified negatives (Items: 00225-0247) 1983-1985
20 Negatives that correspond with prints in the collection 1983-1985
Photographs Inventory
Item Number/Title/Dates
00001 Opera house, Adams (N.D.)
00002 Opera house, Adams (N.D.)
00003 Opera house, Ambrose (N.D.)
00004 Opera house, Antler (N.D.)
00005 Opera house, Antler (N.D.)
00006 Opera house, Antler (N.D.)
00007 Opera house, Antler (N.D.)
00008 Opera house, Antler (N.D.)
00009 Opera house, Antler (N.D.)
00010 Opera house, Dunn Center (N.D.)
00011 Opera house, Dunn Center (N.D.)
00012 Opera house, Dunn Center (N.D.)
00013 Opera house, Dunn Center (N.D.)
00014 Opera house, Dunn Center (N.D.)
00015 Opera house, Dunn Center (N.D.)
00016 Opera house, Dunn Center (N.D.)
00017 Opera house, Dunn Center (N.D.)
00018 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00019 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00020 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00021 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00022 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00023 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00024 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00025 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00026 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00027 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00028 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00029 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00030 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00031 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00032 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00033 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00034 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00035 Opera house, Ellendale (N.D.)
00036 Opera house, Fargo (N.D.)
00037 Opera house, Fargo (N.D.)
00038 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00039 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00040 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00041 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00042 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00043 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00044 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00045 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00046 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00047 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00048 Opera house, Fortuna (N.D.)
00049 Opera house, Gardar (N.D.)
00050 Opera house, Grace City (N.D.)
00051 Opera house, Grace City (N.D.)
00052 Opera house, Grand Rapids (N.D.)
00053 Opera house, Grand Rapids (N.D.)
00054 Opera house, Grand Rapids (N.D.)
00055 Opera house, Grand Rapids (N.D.)
00056 Opera house, Hamburg (N.D.)
00057 Opera house, Heimdal (N.D.)
00058 Opera house, Heimdal (N.D.)
00059 Opera house, Heimdal (N.D.)
00060 Opera house, Heimdal (N.D.)
00061 Opera house, Heimdal (N.D.)
00062 Opera house, Heimdal (N.D.)
00063 Opera house, Heimdal (N.D.)
00064 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00065 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00066 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00067 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00068 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00069 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00070 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00071 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00072 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00073 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00074 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00075 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00076 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00077 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00078 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00079 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00080 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00081 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00082 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00083 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00084 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00085 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00086 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00087 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00088 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00089 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00090 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00091 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00092 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00093 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00094 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00095 Opera house, Jamestown (N.D.)
00096 Opera house, Kenmare (N.D.)
00097 Opera house, Kenmare (N.D.)
00098 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00099 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00100 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00101 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00102 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00103 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00104 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00105 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00106 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00107 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00108 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00109 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00110 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00111 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00112 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00113 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00114 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00115 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00116 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00117 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00118 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00119 Opera house, Lidgerwood (N.D.)
00120 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00121 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00122 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00123 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00124 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00125 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00126 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00127 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00128 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00129 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00130 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00131 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00132 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00133 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00134 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00135 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00136 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00137 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00138 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00139 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00140 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00141 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00142 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00143 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00144 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00145 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00146 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00147 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00148 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00149 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00150 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00151 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00152 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00153 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00154 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00155 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00156 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00157 Opera house, Lisbon (N.D.)
00158 Opera house, Maddock (N.D.)
00159 Opera house, Maddock (N.D.)
00160 Opera house, Maddock (N.D.)
00161 Opera house, Maddock (N.D.)
00162 Opera house, Maddock (N.D.)
00163 Opera house, Maddock (N.D.)
00164 Opera house, Maddock (N.D.)
00165 Opera house, Melville (N.D.)
00166 Opera house, Melville (N.D.)
00167 Opera house, Melville (N.D.)
00168 Opera house, Millarton (N.D.)
00169 Opera house, Millarton (N.D.)
00170 Opera house, Millarton (N.D.)
00171 Opera house, Milnor (N.D.)
00172 Opera house, Milnor (N.D.)
00173 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00174 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00175 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00176 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00177 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00178 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00179 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00180 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00181 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00182 Opera house, Minto (N.D.)
00183 Opera house, Montpelier (N.D.)
00184 Opera house, Neche (N.D.)
00185 Opera house, Neche (N.D.)
00186 Opera house, Neche (N.D.)
00187 Opera house, Neche (N.D.)
00188 Opera house, Neche (N.D.)
00189 Opera house, New Rockford (N.D.)
00190 Opera house, New Rockford (N.D.)
00191 Opera house, New Rockford (N.D.)
00192 Opera house, New Rockford (N.D.)
00193 Opera house, New Rockford (N.D.)
00194 Opera house, Niobe (N.D.)
00195 Opera house, Niobe (N.D.)
00196 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00197 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00198 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00199 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00200 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00201 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00202 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00203 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00204 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00205 Opera house, Northwood (N.D.)
00206 Opera house, Pekin (N.D.)
00207 Opera house, Velva (N.D.)
00208 Opera house, Velva (N.D.)
00209 Opera house, Velva (N.D.)
00210 Opera house, Velva (N.D.)
00211 Opera house, Velva (N.D.)
00212 Opera house, Velva (N.D.)
00213 Opera house, Velva (N.D.)
00214 Opera house, Wahpeton (N.D.)
00215 Opera house, Wahpeton (N.D.)
00216 Unidentified opera house
00217 Unidentified opera house
00218 Unidentified opera house
00219 Unidentified opera house
00220 Unidentified opera house
00221 Unidentified opera house
00222 Unidentified opera house
00223 Unidentified opera house
00224 Unidentified opera house
00225 Unidentified opera house
00226 Unidentified opera house
00227 Unidentified opera house
00228 Unidentified opera house
00229 Unidentified opera house
00230 Unidentified opera house
00231 Unidentified opera house
00232 Unidentified opera house
00233 Unidentified opera house
00234 Unidentified opera house
00235 Unidentified opera house
00236 Unidentified opera house
00237 Unidentified opera house
00238 Unidentified opera house
00239 Unidentified opera house
00240 Unidentified opera house
00241 Unidentified opera house
00242 Unidentified opera house
00243 Unidentified opera house
00244 Unidentified opera house
00245 Unidentified opera house
00246 Unidentified opera house
00247 Unidentified opera house
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