Stephens Brothers Opera House: 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois

Location:

100 W. Walnut St., Watseka, Iroquois County 

Year built:

1884

Original owner:

 Asa and Alva Stephens

Current owner:

City of Watseka

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

Historic Significance

The Stephens Brothers Opera House was a community hub and event space in Watseka for decades. The theater, located on the building’s second floor, had a capacity of 700 people and held a diverse array of activities and performances. Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, temperance activist Carrie Nation, and ragtime pianist Blind Boone made appearances at the opera house. It became a silent movie theater in the 1920s and retailer J.C. Penney began leasing the ground floor in 1929. The theater closed in 1938, and J.C. Penney closed in 1990. After a succession of retail businesses, the building deteriorated and was purchased by the City of Watseka in 2023.

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

Current threat

The Stephens Brothers Opera House is currently suffering from the effects of neglect by previous owners. The building needs a new roof, tuckpointing and stabilization to ensure its future. Although the City has already invested in it by purchasing it, there seems to be no agreement about the building’s future. Demolition for use as a parking lot has been suggested, but this would be a tragic loss of this potential community anchor.

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

Preservation Solution 

Located on Watseka’s Main Street, the Stephens Brothers Opera House represents the city’s vibrant past and has the potential to bring renewed energy to its future. The local group Watseka Community Renewal is a local nonprofit that supports the preservation of historic structures in the area and has been advocating for the restoration of the opera house and has also developed a phased restoration plan for it. Collaboration between the City and Watseka Community Renewal could transform the Opera House into an anchor for cultural and economic development. Possibilities include a multi-use space on the ground floor, with the upper floor used as a concert venue.

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

Take Action

Contact Watseka Community Renewal to offer your assistance with its ongoing advocacy.

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

John Whitman Brito

Member of Watseka Community Renewal and the owner of the historic Roff Home in Watseka

“Great buildings deserve second chances. The Stephens Brothers Opera House served as the center of our community for one hundred years. If we can pull together as a community to give it a second lease on life, it can serve the community into the next century and beyond.”

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)