The Grand 1894 Opera House gets a facelift

(10/01/07 - KTRK/GALVESTON, TX) (KTRK) -- The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston is getting a facelift.

It holds a thousand people and is large enough and small enough at the same time to see their faces. That is a lure that kept the opera house popular for over 100 years.

With three levels and two balconies, the opera house is decorated with ornate fixtures while maintaining a simple theatric style.

Since 1981, Killis Almond has been the architect involved in the opera house's renovation. It has been a challenge keeping the historic integrity while adding modern safety standards.

"It was a lot worse than it is now," Almond said. "Everything you see now basically didn't exist."

The star-lined sidewalk is the latest fundraising idea. For a price, star plaques will be permanently embedded in the sidewalk with the donor's names shining brightly.

"We have a whole sidewalk that we can fill up," said fundraiser Dr. Bob Wilkins. "I think we're going to probably think that our campaign is over in a year."

"My phone is literally ringing daily with people saying, 'I heard about this sidewalk with the stars, I want a star,'" said Opera House Executive Director Maureen Patton.

Those stars can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000.

Some of those stars are no longer well known, yet their memories are preserved in the opera house. Other stars include locals like the mayor of Galveston, Lyda Ann Thomas, who as a girl, tap danced on the stage.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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