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Municipal Auditorium to Kiel Auditorium to Peabody Opera House

September 24, 2011 Downtown, Featured, History/Preservation 8 Comments
ABOVE: Inside the Peabody Opera House September 2011

In my post yesterday I mentioned seeing the interior of the Peabody Opera House earlier in the week, my first time ever in the building.

It closed less then a year after I moved to St. Louis in August 1990 and I never got to see it before the recent $79 million dollar renovation. Apparently they did a great job keeping water out during two decades of being closed.

What amazes me is this building was built during the Great Depression, the cornerstone was set on November 2, 1932. At the opening performance on April 21, 1934 it was known as the Municipal Auditorium.  Nine years later on March 26, 1943 the Municipal Auditorium became the Kiel Auditorium, after former 3-term mayor Henry Kiel (February 21, 1871 – November 26, 1942). But the last show was in 1991.

ABOVE: In 1993 the convention hall at the back was razed to construct what is now called the Scottrade Center
ABOVE: The main auditorium is a beautiful space, the ceiling lights can change colors
ABOVE: The solid stone facade facing Market St

Very impressive for 1934 and 2011.

– Steve Patterson

 

Currently there are "8 comments" on this Article:

  1. samizdat says:

    I will never call it the Peabody. It will always be known to me as the Kiel Opera House. Considering what Mr. Peabody represents to me–oligarchy, corruption, bribery of public officials for corporate gain, the ruination of the atmosphere and the environment in and around its mining operations–any other option is unthinkable.

     
  2. samizdat says:

    I will never call it the Peabody. It will always be known to me as the Kiel Opera House. Considering what Mr. Peabody represents to me–oligarchy, corruption, bribery of public officials for corporate gain, the ruination of the atmosphere and the environment in and around its mining operations–any other option is unthinkable.

     
  3. Douglas Duckworth says:

    True!

     
  4. Smithers196782 says:

    you people need to grown up & change your diapers.  first, money doesn’t buy everything, second, you will never know the feeling.  don’t bother us coming to any functions @ this grand auditorium.  hey, how did you post this on the net if you hate coal so much?  dumb#(@!@. 

     
  5. Smithers196782 says:

    you people need to grown up & change your diapers.  first, money doesn’t buy everything, second, you will never know the feeling.  don’t bother us coming to any functions @ this grand auditorium.  hey, how did you post this on the net if you hate coal so much?  dumb#(@!@. 

     
  6. Martha Lucks Sheldon says:

    Theodore Lucks was the Designer of the interior of the Opera House. His Company. Lucks Orwig did all of the design and work to bring the Opera House to it’s glory in 1934.

     
  7. Martha Lucks Sheldon says:

    Theodore Lucks was the Designer of the interior of the Opera House. His Company. Lucks Orwig did all of the design and work to bring the Opera House to it’s glory in 1934.

     

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