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Photo: Jatakuck (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Built in 1901, the Opera House has been completely restored. Listed in the National Registry of Historic Sites.
The Fairmont Opera House in Fairmont, Minnesota was built in 1901. Frank A. Day, editor of the Fairmont Sentinel, prodded local businessmen to establish an opera house starting in 1899. The Fairmont Opera House Company acquired the land in July, 1901 and began construction. The first grand opening was on February 11, 1902, with the opening show being "The Chaperone" performed by the Frank L. Perley Singing Comedians. From 1902 through 1912, it housed a variety of events such as traveling stock companies, local talent shows, graduation ceremonies, musicals, conventions, and political meetings. In 1912, W.L. Nicholas and Billy Hay became the managers, changed its name to the Haynic Theater, and began to show movies there. In 1926, the house was remodeled to accommodate live stock companies, road shows, and movies. Billy Hay died in 1926, and the opera house was rechristened the Nicholas Theatre, with a grand opening on July 27, 1927. The 1927 opening introduced an organ by Marr and Colton, complete with sound effects such as drums, a xylophone, car horns, horses' hoof beats, cymbals, and other novelties. The Nicholas Theater was used exclusively as a movie house until 1980.
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It was built as the First Church of Christ Scientist which was founded in Fairmont on October 1, 1891. Finished in 1898, the building was designed by prominent Minnesota architect Harry W. Jones and is an excellent example of Richardson Romanesque style of architecture. The building was constructed of massive Sioux quartzite (red rock) blocks which were quarried in southwest Minnesota. The red stone was combined with contrasting buff colored limestone for a polychromatic effect. The three gables at the top of the building each showcase three small arched stained glass windows while the main level of the building features 19 restored stained glass windows. The cornerstone came from Concord, New Hampshire, and contains many artifacts of Christian Science teaching and the local church history. The Red Rock Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been recognized by the Minnesota Preservation Alliance for saving and restoring this historic architectural treasure.
Open to the public. Construction started in April, 1906, with the dedication held on December 16, 1907. The first story is built of Marquette raindrop sandstone from Michigan. Second and third stories are built of Buff-Bedford limestone from Indiana. The building is classical in architecture. It is fireproof throughout. The dome extends 58 feet above the roof, making it 108 feet from the ground. The courthouse is located on the site of Old Fort Fairmount, built in 1862 at the time of the Dakota (Sioux) Uprising. Listed in the National Registry.
In 1866 Dr. Orville Chubb came to Martin County and built this, the oldest house in Fairmont. He is credited with founding the village of Fairmont.