Timeline
Stanly Enterprise: February 28, 1907
F.E. Starnes is contemplating the erection of a new brick building with upstairs hall or club room.
Stanly Enterprise May 23, 1907
Messrs F.E. Starnes and D.F. Parker have purchased 25 feet frontage on Main Street, in addition to
that purchased sometime ago , and they will soon erect a two-story brick building, adjoining the P.J.
Honeycutt & Co.'s store.
Stanly Enterprise: July 11, 1907: NEW BRICK BLOCK
Messrs F.E. Starnes and D.F. Parker and J.C. Parker have united in the erection of a handsome
brick building to adjoin the Smith & Biles building now occupied by P.J. Honeycutt & Co., on
Main Street.
The building is to be two stories, covering 50 x 80 feet. The lower floor will be finished for store
rooms, using the crane and patent front, with solid plate glass joined by metal clasps. The second
floor will be finished for an opera house, a thing much needed in our little city for various public
gatherings.
The contract has been awarded to L.A. Moody, and the work will be prosecuted just as fast as
material and labor can be applied.
Thus it will be seen that Albemarle continues to grow.
August 3, 1907: Deed stating sale of lot now occupied by Opera House from R.L. Smith and
H.F. Biles to D.F. Parker and his son in law, F.E. Starnes. (Third partner J.C. Parker, brother of D.F.
not mentioned on lease).
Original Owners of the Albemarle Opera House Building
F.E Starnes D.F. Parker J.C. Parker
Pictures courtesy of Patricia Starnes Bramlett
Stanly Enterprise: June 25, 1908
The seats are being placed in the opera house, which with the new curtains to be provided, will make
it quite a handsome interior and a distinct credit to the town.
The large Crane's patent plate glass front for the Parker-Starnes building has arrived and the finishing
touches are fast being put on. The New York Dry Goods Store, under management of A.N. Dry will
occupy and Mr. Starnes the other.
May 1908 - December 1913 From mid-1908 to the end of 1913, the Opera House was used for
traveling vaudeville and minstrel shows. (see Events and Shows)
1914- 1916 In 1914 Mssrs. L.O. Parker and J.C. Bostian leased the Opera House space
for use as a moving picture theater.
Picture courtesy of Lewis Parker Bramlett
September-December 1916 While the new building for the Alameda Movie Theatre was being
completed, the Opera House was used temporarily for the shows.
1919 - Approx 1929 The Opera House was rented to P.J. Honeycutt: Furniture and
Undertaking to be used as extra storage space.
(According to Sanborn Fire Insurance maps the Opera House was still being used as an annex for the undertaking business as late as 1929)
Early 30's to late 50's The Opera House was leased to the City for storage.
Late 50's to present The space is currently being used for storage by the owners.