First	Click on picture to see after  destruction  of 1896 tornado.
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GRAND OPERA HOUSE (Grand Army Hall)  The Opera House was believed to have been built in 1884 by the Old Soldier Association. Many men assisted in the venture, but they still owed about $1000 on it which they were unable to pay.  The Martin Lumber Co. had to take the property on its bill for materials. Then several men in the community contributed $100 each and formed the Seneca Opera Co.  They kept the building open for rental,  to stock companies for plays, and it was used a great deal for dances and political meetings.  It was, in fact, the old town hall. The Opera House was equipped with an abundance of scenery and all stage paraphernalia, lighted by electricity and gas, and had a seating  capacity for a 1000 people.  All of this and the building were destroyed by the great tornado of May 17, 1896. The hall was laid flat at an estimated loss of $10,000".

 Picture and article was taken from the Citizens State Bank Centennial Booklet of 1994

Click on picture to see same building after 1896 tornado.
Second sketch and information  from 1896 Seneca Tribune.

Information is that the Grand Opera House was destroyed and the steeple of the Methodist Church was laying in the street as well as the steeple of the Universal Church.   Every Church in the city was damaged and the Catholic Church was damaged to the  extent it had been reported it would have to be rebuilt from the foundation up however I believe this did not happen.

This  building had stood on the south side of main near where the Seneca Florist is today (year 2004). Second picture is a  sketch from 1896 Seneca Times  which  verifies the location.

See what is in this location in 2005  --  (Click Here)

See Side story of Tornado

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