(1) Accounting of history of Gallup, New Mexico as influenced by activities occurring or originating in the Kitchen’s Opera House facility.
- Hall in operation from 1895-1952.
- Café in operation from 1895-present. Known as Eagle Cafe
- Bar in operation from 1985-1968. Now space is part of Zimmerman’s dry goods store.
(2) Features of facility hosted activities:
· Opera House uniquely located in region where mining of the commodity coal was the prime product, rather than mining of gems or minerals as identified with other western Opera Houses.
· Published activities started with Ft. Wingate band concert and grand ball on July 4, 1895 and terminated with United Mine Workers of America meeting in 1952.
· Sports bar activities started in 1903 by announcing results of boxing match.
· Many theatrical productions, lectures, musicals, and recitals occurred from 1895-1926. First graduation ceremonies were held for City of Gallup in 1901. First movie in Gallup in 1903 occurred at the Opera House.
· Dances followed most activities. Grand balls were scheduled from 1895-1920. Many were sponsored by Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
· Boxing and wrestling matches, sometimes involving world class athletes, occurred from 1911-1940. Prominent Gallup boxing family was recognized.
· Opera House was home of meetings including miners’ union activities for strikes of 1917, 1922, 1933, and possibly 1900.
· Hall was home of Communist originated strike actions leading to period of martial law for Gallup in 1933.