Many grand buildings have been lost to time in Tyrone. One of the most notable, however, may be the Conrad Opera House. Not only was it a musical venue of the highest caliber, but it was also a meeting place for multitudes of citizens, and the site of several small businesses. It was owned, built, and operated by prominent Tyrone citizen Mr. W. Fisk Conrad. Known for having an extraordinary business ability, Wilber Fisk Conrad played a large part in the shaping of Tyrone.
From Franklinville tinner to Tyrone postmaster
Born in Franklinville, Spruce Creek Valley, Huntingdon County, in 1833, W. Fisk Conrad was a descendant of Revolutionary War soldiers, fiercely loyal to General George Washington. Parents John and Mary Ann Conrad had eleven children, Fisk being the last. He attended formal school up to age 14, then learned the tinner’s trade through the Pennsylvania Rail Road. He spent some time surveying oil regions before he chose to settle in Tyrone in 1865. Establishing his household, he then operated a mercantile business. Several wise investments resulted in his becoming one of the largest real estate holders in Tyrone.
During this time, it wasn’t just at real estate that Fisk Conrad was successful. He was appointed Tyrone Postmaster under President Cleveland in 1894, a position he then held with distinction until 1898. He was also a member of the Friendship Fire Company, which later became the Blazing Arrow Hook and Ladder Fire Company. It was in 1881, when he was president of the Fire Company, that he took a delegation to Philadelphia to observe, and ultimately purchase, the latest technology available in fire fighting. He was credited with being charged a notably reasonable price for a fire-fighter drawn machine due to his shrewd business sense. Additionally, when the equipment was reaching the end of its usefulness, he suggested modifications, creating a horse-drawn cart, that allowed the truck to remain in service for many more years.
900 strong, comfortable, handsome chairs
Fisk Conrad’s passion, however, was promoting theatrical arts in the borough. He chose to do this by building and operating the Conrad Opera House. A three-story building, with a four-story ornate brick façade, the Opera House stood imposingly on its block at the corner of Main and Herald Streets, arguably one of the finest buildings in Tyrone, valued at $20,000 at the time of its building. Mr. Conrad included a large clock in the tower so as to assist patrons to arrive on-time for events.
Local residents were so in-tune to such a fine building in town, milestones in its construction were considered newsworthy. According to the Daily Herald of October 26, 1882, shortly prior to its opening, it was reported that 900 “strong, comfortable, handsome chairs” had been installed, and that overall the Opera House projected a cheerful and inviting appearance. It was also said that Mr. Conrad was “well known in the community as a man who does his work well; but he almost seems to have exceeded himself in this building. Through his enterprise and determination Tyrone can now boast one of the handsomest and most convenient Opera Houses in the State, while no other town of its size can compare with it in this particular.”
In a preemptive move, the following notice had appeared in the Daily Herald of May 11, 1882: “In anticipation of a new Opera House soon, it may be well to state in advance that ladies who wear high heels and flaring rim hats when they attend the theatre, would confer a lasting favor on that part of the audience sitting behind them, if they would hold the hats in their laps.”
Hundred Wives and Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Conrad Opera House opened on December 8, 1882, to a showing of Draper’s “Hundred Wives,” a play about Mormon life, performed by the Great Metropolitan Company and accompanied by Jude A. Neff’s Orchestra of Altoona. The Monday following, Leavitt’s Gigantean Minstrels appeared after being selected by Mr. Conrad as the best from among scores of applications. Barneck’s Orchestra, of Tyrone, was given the standing engagement to furnish music to the Opera House. On average, admission to the Opera House was 75 cents for the Orchestra Circle, with Balcony seats ranging from 35 to 50 cents.
The Opera House drew some of the biggest attractions of the time. Beatrice Little, vocalist from New York City; a troupe playing “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” so popularly received that it extended its showings in Tyrone in order to accommodate the large audiences; and an acclaimed presentation of “Grand Old Flag” in support of the War Bond efforts were all honorably received.
Mr. Conrad took a very active part in the Opera House operations. Perhaps too active. In June of 1883, he was confined to his room due to injuries he received from a fall he took while at the Opera House. For a few days his condition was quite critical. His system had reportedly received a severe shock from the fall, his lower back and side sustaining the heaviest contusion. It was fortunate that he had not received any life-threatening internal injuries.
A memorial for Grant, a 1891 season of 70 shows
On July 30, 1885, the Opera House hosted a memorial for General Ulysses S. Grant. In the 1891 season alone, the Opera House had been opened more than 70 times for showings.
Mr. Conrad, partially due to a five year stint as a Town Councilman and with genuine concern for his community, frequently allowed free uses of the Opera House, to include shows by the Tyrone City Band and various Democratic political meetings. Prior to the building of the Opera House, public gatherings had been held at the St. Matthew Parochial School, the old Sheridan Troop Armory, or at various churches around the region.
In addition to the Opera House proper, the building also housed several smaller businesses. Mrs. J. McCann & Company (millinery) and Opera House Clothing Store (advertising the receipt and sale of 1000 seal plush coats and fur-lined silk and satin circulars) was located on the first floor. The dental office of Dr. J. C. M. Hamilton, DDS was installed on the third floor.
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