City, CCIDC commit $100K to ‘Save Our Opera House’

The City of Columbus and Columbus Community Industrial Development Corporation (CCIDC) met the matching pledge challenge of an anonymous donor and approved $100,000 in funds for the “Save Our Opera House” capital campaign. Those funds along with the matching $100,000 added $200,000 to the growing campaign monies which are now at $401,569.

“CHPT (Columbus Historical Preservation Trust) is extremely thankful to the City and to CCIDC for recognizing the importance and value of the Opera House to this community and to the county,” CHPT Executive Director Melissa Parker said, “There aren’t many pictures of Columbus that don’t include the Stafford Opera House in them as an iconic center piece that is widely regarded as the crown jewel of Columbus and beyond.”

Built in 1886 by R.E. (Robert Earl) Stafford, the Stafford Opera House was and is a historical masterpiece by renowned architect, Nicholas Clayton. Mr. Clayton has more than 50 iconic structures built mostly in Texas but also outside of Texas. Bishops Palace in Galveston is among them.

Jo Lou (Louise) Stafford Parks is the oldest living known descendent from Columbus of the Stafford family. She has lived in Columbus all of her life. Ms. Stafford Parks graciously attended the celebration of the collective $100,000 City & CCIDC commitments for the Stafford Opera House.

“These donations honor the R.E. Stafford family and Bob Stafford’s vision to bring this magnificent historic building to our community and to our county,” Parker said, “It is the crown jewel of our County and will soon be back in business for its original purpose to host weddings, reunions, proms, performances and other entertainment events.”

CHPT thanks the City of Columbus and CCIDC for their contributions to “Save Our Opera House” and the vision of R.E. Stafford that had it built. CHPT hopes to be finished with all renovations including the elevator, roof, water leaks, painting, and addition of bathrooms on the second floor by late Spring.

“There will be a Grand Re-opening event to celebrate these improvements and to set the tone for the great offerings that are being planned for 2024,” Parker said.