DeForest Opera House once a community hub

In the decades following the Civil War, most communities had an opera house to provide a venue for community meetings and entertainment.

The DeForest Opera House was located on Main Street at the junction with Commerce Street and was built by the DeForest City Hall Association. The grand opening was held on Feb. 6, 1907.

Programming was initially planned by the DeForest Opera House Company. Many traveling shows, some silent films, “talkies”, a concert by the Madison Choral Union, gaming opportunities, and even a wrestling match were offered. Before 1919 and the beginning of prohibition, there was a tavern in the basement.

Before the building of the new high school in 1924, the school commencement ceremonies and alumni banquets were held at this site. According to the book, "One Hundred Years with DeForest," St. Olaf's Parish began to use the Opera House as their church in June 1950, having purchased the building from the Federal Cigar Company of Lyons, Pennsylvania.