National and State Registers of Historic Places
Shirley Opera House
503 Main Street
Atwood (Rawlins County)
Listed in National Register
Jan 16, 2007
Architect: Not listed
Category: restaurant
Thematic Nomination: Historic Theaters and Opera Houses of Kansas
The Shirley Opera House, constructed in 1907, was nominated as part of the "Historic Theaters and Opera Houses of Kansas" multiple property listing for its association with local entertainment and social history and for its architecture. The opera house is red brick and is an example of Late Victorian-era commercial block construction. Its public space was utilized for performances and gatherings, such as traveling road shows, musicals, dances, and political rallies. Construction of the building coincided with the building of the Rawlins County Courthouse, the creation of permanent sidewalks, and the establishment of a public waterworks in Atwood.