McMinnville Opera House
Encyclopedia
The McMinnville Opera House, also known as Hawchins Opera House, was a landmark structure in McMinnville, Tennessee
, that was destroyed by fire in 2008.
Built in September 1888, by African American
entrepreneur William Hawchins. The building had businesses on the first floor, the main opera house on the second, and Mr. Hawchins' apartment on the third. The building was beautifully decorated with many ornaments, and a metropolitan opera house look for its time. This building helped the growth of McMinnville, making the town become known as a "Cultural Center".
With that came the idea to restore the buildings of downtown. Many were left as they were, tidied up, and turned into shops. Many did not succeed. But there were a few that did: The New York Grill, Capalano's (Cap's), Highland Rim Music, and many antique shops. The rest of the abandoned buildings were either for rent or were being renovated, many are still today. The McMinnville Opera House was one of many to be chosen to be renovated. The Dixon's were ready to go ahead and renovate the total building. The second floor had previously been renovated 15 year before into a Townhouse carefully restoring the solid wood floors and exposing the brick walls. The street level was undergoing a total face lift preserving the cabinets and oak flooring. Showcases displaying McMinnville memorabilia as well as Civil War
, World War II
, and Vietnam War
items of local interest were on display. A study area for research was set aside for public use. The museum was a surprise gift to McMinnville and scheduled to open July 5, which is the set date for the Bicentennial Celebration for the county. Veterans of many eras had donated their personal items for this purpose.
On Father's Day, June 15, 2008, it was reported in the Southern Standard
, that the cause of the fire was arson. The Dixons had several reports of suspected vandalism and had installed cameras around their building. Though they had a few young people smoking in the back, they didn't assume that that was the cause of the fire. They have no leads on the arsonist(s), but the Dixons are just happy to be alive.
McMinnville, Tennessee
McMinnville is the largest city in and the county seat of Warren County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 13,605 at the 2010 census...
, that was destroyed by fire in 2008.
Built in September 1888, by African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
entrepreneur William Hawchins. The building had businesses on the first floor, the main opera house on the second, and Mr. Hawchins' apartment on the third. The building was beautifully decorated with many ornaments, and a metropolitan opera house look for its time. This building helped the growth of McMinnville, making the town become known as a "Cultural Center".
Twentieth century
The opera house eventually went as the times went on, therefore, citizens tore off the exterior Victorian ornaments off the building turing the building into shops. Later in the 20th century, the building served as King's Department Store.Restoration
In 2004, the City of McMinnville decided to bring back the old charm of downtown McMinnville. The State of Tennessee Downtown Historical Preservation Society gave each county in the state to revive its downtown. The city went with the idea and started the "Revitalization of Historical Downtown McMinnville Project." The project was completed in 2006.With that came the idea to restore the buildings of downtown. Many were left as they were, tidied up, and turned into shops. Many did not succeed. But there were a few that did: The New York Grill, Capalano's (Cap's), Highland Rim Music, and many antique shops. The rest of the abandoned buildings were either for rent or were being renovated, many are still today. The McMinnville Opera House was one of many to be chosen to be renovated. The Dixon's were ready to go ahead and renovate the total building. The second floor had previously been renovated 15 year before into a Townhouse carefully restoring the solid wood floors and exposing the brick walls. The street level was undergoing a total face lift preserving the cabinets and oak flooring. Showcases displaying McMinnville memorabilia as well as Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
items of local interest were on display. A study area for research was set aside for public use. The museum was a surprise gift to McMinnville and scheduled to open July 5, which is the set date for the Bicentennial Celebration for the county. Veterans of many eras had donated their personal items for this purpose.
Destructive fire
On Saturday, March 29, 2008, at around midnight, the building was destroyed by a fire of unknown cause. Though it was raining that night, there were no reports of lightning or lightning strikes. Vandalism or renovation mistakes were the probable causes of the fire, for the first few months of the investigation. The Dixons had planned on opening the restored building around the time of the county's Bicentennial Celebration. Their dreams, the city's aldermen's dreams, and the citizens of the city were burnt and demolished at around nine o' clock that morning. The mayor of McMinnville, Royce Davenport, said that this building can be rebuilt, but that it is up to the private owners to do so.On Father's Day, June 15, 2008, it was reported in the Southern Standard
Southern Standard
Southern Standard is a semi-daily newspaper based in McMinnville, Tennessee....
, that the cause of the fire was arson. The Dixons had several reports of suspected vandalism and had installed cameras around their building. Though they had a few young people smoking in the back, they didn't assume that that was the cause of the fire. They have no leads on the arsonist(s), but the Dixons are just happy to be alive.