The Commission

Walker County Historical
Commission
1301 Sam Houston Ave.
Rm. 226
Huntsville, TX 77340
(Courthouse Annex)

Telephone

(936) 435-2497

WCHC Online

Send email

Meetings

3rd Monday of each month
5:30 P.M.
Walker County Museum

Museum

Gibbs-Powell Home
1228 11 St. at Avenue M
Huntsville, TX

Hours

Friday 12-4PM
Saturday 12-4PM
Commission meetings,
and by appointment

Telephone

(936) 295-2914
(936) 436-4928 (fax)

Tours

(936) 291-3581
(936) 577-4257

Shop & Support WCHC

Henry Opera House

Built in 1880 as lodge hall. First floor soon became a dry goods and grocery store, and second was made into a fine theater by owner, John Henry (1828-97). Here traveling troupes played Shakespeare and dramas of the times. Famous magician Hermann the Great made Texas debut here; and Blind Tom, self-taught Negro piano virtuoso, once performed on this stage. After period as skating rink, opera house showed first motion picture in the city, about 1909. But with building of new theater, it closed and came again to be used for offices and stores.