Wealthy distillery owner Sidney Chaffee added floors and rooms to an existing structure on the southwest corner of Main and Second Streets. It opened to the public in 1867, and this picture is of the stage area as it is now. Referred to as the Opera House, it was an elegant area that seated 600-800 people at a time when the population of Tipp City was less than 1,000. Besides presentations by traveling troupes, it also is where school graduations were held, and roller skating took place. School basketball games were held here, and the community sponsored a professional basketball team.

This information is from Susan Furlong's book "Tippecanoe to Tipp City - The First 100 Years." There is more information and many pictures in the Tippecanoe Historical Museum. We will be open by appointment only through January and February. Call 937-698-6798 for questions or to make an appointment.