Secrets of Seneca County Historical Driving Tour | Republic Town Hall & Opera House
Embark on a captivating journey through the wondrous past of Seneca County, Ohio, with the Secrets of Seneca County Historical Driving Tour! The next stop on the journey is: Republic Town Hall & Opera House (213 Washington Street, Republic, OH 44867, Stop #15)
Located in the center of downtown Republic, Ohio, The Republic Town Hall & Opera House is operated by a partnership consisting of the community development organization, Reviving Republic, the Scipio-Republic Area Historical Society, and the Village of Republic. Designed in the Italianate style, the building was opened to the public in 1884. The Republic Town Hall & Opera House (“The Hall”) consists of two floors, an attic, and a crawl space. The outdoor front awning is not original to the building and was added in the early 1900’s. It seems to be a bit of a mystery or simply lost to the annals of time who the architect was and who built the structure. It is the only building in the village of Republic to have a geological survey marker, which can be found at the Northwest corner of the building.
Beyond the front awning, you will notice the building is set back from the street farther than its neighbors. This is believed to allow for crowds to gather and be addressed from the Juliette style balcony on the second floor without crowds blocking the street.nAs you enter the building through the arching, double-door, front entrance, you will notice smaller colored glass squares accenting the door windows. Some of these colored glass squares are replacements, but some are believed to be original.
The building has served many purposes since its construction. It was home to the Republic Village Council and housed police headquarters at different times. It has been a meeting place for local groups and fraternal organizations. It also hosted many dances, balls and banquet dinners. The Hall was the focal point for entertainment including theater performances, musical acts and all kinds of variety shows held in the second floor opera house theater. At different times a Jail or “calaboose”, as it was referred to in an early newspaper article, was part of the property as well as the town fire bell and eventually the community warning siren. The Republic Town Hall & Opera House was even used as a makeshift school throughout the years. At times when the existing educational facility of the day was being renovated or rebuilt, as in 1913, classes were held inside The Hall. School related events would continue to held in The Hall well into the 1950’s. In 1887 the B&O railroad had one of their first and most deadly trainwrecks which occurred on the western edge of Republic. Funeral proceedings for the unidentified victims took place at the Town Hall.
In 2023 a paranormal investigation team conducted an overnight case study in The Hall which produced data indicating paranormal activity was taking place in the upstairs theater area! It is believed the downstairs originally consisted of six separate rooms and a Banquet Hall. The interior has had modifications at different times over the years which added restrooms and a kitchen area that was not original to the building. Two of the individual rooms have been combined into one and the Banquet Hall area can accommodate up to 200 people.
The Republic Town Hall and Opera House’s second floor contains a full-size theater, a ballroom, and a balcony. This space can accommodate a few hundred people. The hand painted stage backdrops are original and were created Tiffin Scenic Studios, which is still in business today. The stage is fully accommodating with stage left and right dressing rooms and even a backstage trap door in the floor! Two, multidirectional staircases, one on each side of the main downstairs hallway, lead up to the ballroom theater. Upon entering you will notice a large cast iron stove. Two of these heaters made by the Round Oak Stove Company were utilized to heat the upstairs area. These cast iron stoves were made in Dowagiac, Michigan and were said to be some of the finest of their day. Measuring approximately 5’ feet high and 10’ feet around, we can imagine they did a fine job.
Opposite the stage on the west side of the second floor ballroom is a set of double doors that open onto the roof of the first floor awning. At one time you might have found a band performing for the local Republic festival or the Mayor providing commentary and announcements for the annual parade from this awning just outside these doors. Similar to the main front entrance, you will notice another beautiful display of colored glass inserts highlighting this doorway.
Over the years, The Hall has been the center of the community. In 1976 a concerted effort for renovations was sparked by our country’s celebration of its bicentennial. Locals worked together to help make repairs and give the building some much needed attention. A festival which culminated in a stage play about the history of America was held in the theater to show off the repair efforts. By 2018 The Republic Town Hall & Opera House was again in need of some support and repair. The newly founded community development group, Reviving Republic, took on the challenge of spearheading a renovation project for the building. Creating partnerships with the mayor’s office, Village Council, Scipio Township and The Scipio-Republic Area Historical Society, Reviving Republic began implementing local fundraising and activation programs.
In 2019 a structural engineer was hired to evaluate the building. The nearly 140-year-old building was deemed structurally sound. In 2022 a spruce up of the first floor Banquet Hall was implemented to help promote event space rentals. This included lighting, window dressings, paint, and flooring. Ongoing efforts are being made with architects, contractors, and grant writing specialists to develop a plan for a full-scale renovation, which would include the upstairs theater.
To learn more, rent The Hall, or support the renovation, please visit www.republictownhall.com.
