National Register of Historic Places in Humboldt County

National Register #83001110: Nixon Opera House in Winnemucca, Nevada Date Unknown
Courtesy Humboldt Museum
(Click Photo to Zoom)
National Register #83001110
Nixon Opera House
West Winnemucca Boulevard and Melarkey Street
Winnemucca

Nixon Opera House ("Nixon Hall") was built in 1907 and destroyed by fire in 1992. It was financed by George S. Nixon, a local banker who went on to serve in the U.S. Senate. When Nixon died, his widow Kate tried unsuccessfully to reclaim the property from the City. The arsonist or arsonists who destroyed it were never brought to justice.

The Nixon went through several face-lifts, during the years. Its brick exterior was stuccoed, giving it a Gothic look. Then, a plain false front was added during the 70s. The photos below show the building in its various phases. They also show architectural details from inside, Mr. and Mrs. Nixon, and Nixon Pool, the municipal swimming pool that once shared the same lot.

An effort to restore Nixon Hall was underway in the early 1990s, just before it burned to the ground. Today, the pool and opera house are both gone, replaced by the Winnemucca Convention Center.

Source: Humboldt Museum


Between the years 1985 and 2000, nine National Register properties in Nevada were lost to vandalism, neglect and renewal as reported by Sean Whaley in the Las Vegas Review-Journal dated 6 November 2000.
 

198? Reno Riverside Mill Company Flourmill demolished
1988 Las Vegas Las Vegas Hospital burned down
1991 Carson City Virginia and Truckee Railroad Shops knocked down by owner
1992 Winnemucca Nixon Opera House destroyed by arson
1992 Reno Odd Fellows Building demolished by the city to make way for a parking garage
1993 Tonopah J.E. Smith stone duplex knocked down
1994 Reno Reno Bell Telephone building demolished
2000 Reno Mapes Hotel imploded by city officials to make way for new development
2000 Las Vegas Whitehead House destroyed by a fire believed to have been set by vagrants
Prev | Next
Humboldt County: List | Map
State of Nevada: List | Map