Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
COATES OPERA HOUSE
COATES OPERA HOUSE. Located on Fourth and Main STREETS, the Coates Opera House was formerly the CITY HOTEL.
The Athenaeum ceased to attract star performers when the GRAND OPERA HOUSE was built. The theater did attract vaudeville performers under the management of Charles Bartell, but then closed until around 1903. Jake Rosenthal secured the lease for the building at that time and began the process of building a better vaudeville business. The building became the BIJOU THEATER.
In 1908 the Dubuque Opera House Company was incorporated. It secured control of the theater which had been owned by Coates, Spensley, Eighmey, and Woodward. Immediately after the close of the vaudeville season in 1909 work began. The entire interior was removed and the theater was lowered from the second floot to the first floor, two balconies were installed, four boxes were put in on each side, and everything to modernize the theater was done. It was named the DUBUQUE OPERA HOUSE.