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Then and Now: One of Longmont’s oldest structures still brings culture to town

The Dickens Opera House has been the home to everything from the news to weddings.
Matt Maenpaa
Matt Maenpaa

Settle in for a steak and a show, soak in the history.

The Dickens Opera House is one of the oldest structures in Longmont, built in 1881 by William Henry Dickens on a plot of land gifted to his father by President Ulysses S. Grant. Dickens, a relative of the famous English author, built the opera house to bring culture to Longmont, according to Longmont Historic Preservation records.

In 1885, it was the temporary home of the Longmont College, before the Atwood Street building was completed. The Opera House was also the home of early Longmont newspaper The Ledger as well as Farmers National Bank.

The museum archive photo is a color slide from 1979, likely taken by Virginia Estes. Estes moved to Longmont in 1934, and was the first woman elected to the Longmont City Council in 1961. The image is of the western side of the building, facing Third Avenue.

The building has undergone several renovations over the years, but the green and white awnings can still be seen in both pictures. The interior of the opera house itself has been modernized and is still an active performance space. 

Now under the ownership of Noella Colandero and Anthony Sanschagrin, the Dickens Tavern has been rebranded to Dickens 300 Prime. The Opera House still hosts events in the renovated theater space, such as concerts and weddings.