Sandy Hook Was A Cultural Center When Its Grand Opera House Still Stood

By Jan Howard

J.H. Costello’s Sandy Hook Opera House was only in existence for about three years but while it was, it was the social gathering place for many people residing in Sandy Hook.

On December 3, 1897, The Newtown Bee reported on the “hot and bright blaze” that totally destroyed the Opera House, a private home, and two barns on November 26.

The Opera House, a large barn, and the adjacent house and barn belonging to Mrs John Clark on Dayton Street burned to the ground. The origin of the fire was unknown, but it was believed to be caused by an explosion of a kerosene oil stove.

The Opera House, which measured 36 by 80 feet not including the plazas, was three stories high. Erected in 1894, it was built on a magnificent scale as a “pleasure house” and “was most too elaborate for a village the size of Sandy Hook,” The Bee noted.

The adjacent barn measured 52 by 38 feet, with a 20 by 36 foot shed attached, and contained 12 tons of hay beside grain and other necessary accessories.

The fire started on the ground floor of the main building about 2 am, and had gained considerable headway before being discovered by one of Mr Costello’s employees. According to The Bee, the building was constructed of southern pine and made a brilliant and mighty blaze that was seen for miles around.

Up the hill on Main Street, reflections were so bright a newspaper could be read, it was said. At the depot, the flames could be seen leaping above the hilltop and must have shot up some 100 feet or more. Fortunately, a gentle southerly breeze sent sparks toward the hill and away from the village.

Before the fire reached the barn, men who had responded to the fire call were able to remove the horses, harness, and wagons to a place of safety. By morning only the cellar walls and smoking ashes told of the terrible conflagration, The Bee reported.

Mr Costello carried insurance of about $15,250 on the property, but not enough to cover his loss.

Construction Of The Opera House

Construction of the Opera House on Dayton Street near the iron bridge had begun in late 1894 following Mr Costello’s purchase of the property from a Mrs Carroll.

On October 5, The Newtown Bee reported that the cellar was being dug for the large 30 by 75 hall, and framing had begun. A horse barn, with shed attached, was also being constructed. “Mr Costello buys his lumber direct from Michigan,” The Bee reported.

On February 8, 1895, The Bee described the new facility, as follows: “Few people are aware of how extensive and on what a grand scale is the new building, just nearing completion, which J.H. Costello has erected at the Hook. The building is located on the west bank of the Pohtatuck stream, just at the west end of the lower bridge.

“In style of architecture it is peculiarly its own. The outside appearance at once suggests a public building or hall. Running along its front and on either end are long verandas and balconies, and when it is remembered that the building is 80 feet long and 36 feet deep, with a 22 foot kitchen addition on the northwest corner, some idea is had of what a promenade these verandas and balconies are. The building is surmounted with a cupola and it bears the inscription ‘Costello’s Hall.’

“Starting with the ground floor, at the north end of the building are Mr Costello’s family apartments, comprising a parlor, dining room, kitchen, and five sleeping rooms. Just south of these rooms is the large dining hall, 19 by 36, where a large company can be catered to with ease. South of the dining hall is the bar room. The balance of this floor is given up to a room for a barbershop, a hall room, and a bathroom to be used in connection with the barbershop.

“But the second story is the all-absorbing portion of the building, for here is a large hall where the main floor space is 36 by 52 feet. At the north end of the hall has been erected a stage with all the modern conveniences, and this is thoroughly equipped with some very handsome and artistic scenery. The drop curtain is very handsome, with an Egyptian scene on a light blue background. A very handsome Cornish piano also adorns the stage.

“At the rear of the hall is a gallery with a seating capacity of 108, furnished with easy opera chairs. Underneath the gallery are convenient rooms for the ticket seller and coat and hat room. The building is ceiled throughout with Georgia pine, the doors are of cypress, and floors are hard maple. The building is kept summer-like with steam pipes that run all over it.

“Jay Terrill of Roxbury was the designer and builder of the building. Knowing what Mr Costello wanted, he started in without plans and formed the building as it stands today. Plumbing was by E.J. Hall and his men. The building is well adapted for the purpose for which it was built.”

Social Events At The Opera House

Many social events took place at the Sandy Hook Opera House during its short existence. Clubs held meetings and parties there. It was also the site of musicals, New Year’s Eve balls, minstrels, music festivals, and plays, sometimes performed by the original theatrical companies.

The first event to take place at Costello’s Opera House was on February 5, 1895. Despite severe weather, the fifth annual concert and ball of Court Sandy Hook, No. 7852, was a great success, The Bee noted. Music was by McGraw’s Orchestra with a grand march led by John F. and Julia McDermott.

The committee was comprised of William Brew, Michael Kilbride, T.J. Corbett, Patrick Kelly, Michael Sheehan, M.J. Lynch, Frank Kilbride, James A. Donovan, Thomas Lillis, James Carey, Thomas Bradley, and J.F. McDermott.

In the April 19, 1895 Bee, Chairman T.V. Keane reminded residents not to forget the upcoming social at Costello’s Opera House on April 26 by the Silver Bell Social Club. Tickets were available for 50 cents, and first class musicians were promised. The grand march would be held at 9:30 pm.

The Carrie Stanley Dramatic Company, which had been staging several standard plays at the Opera House, reported it would end its engagement in Newtown on Saturday, August 10, 1895, when it would perform La Mafia. There were to be two other performances that day, a matinee at 2 pm of The Peasant’s Dream, for “ladies and children,” and the regular evening performance of The Bandit Queen.

Bryton’s company presented Forgiven on December 3, 1895. According to The Bee, it was considered one of the best American plays and had been presented before the most critical audiences in leading theaters from Maine to California, including the Globe in Boston. Edwin Forsberg, who The Bee described as one of the most brilliant young actors on the stage, clever, and remarkably handsome, played the lead of “Jack Diamond.” Seats were priced at 25, 35, and 50 cents.

A musicale on January 27, 1896, by a Professor Platt, consisting of violin and piano solos, trios for violin, cornet and piano, vocal quartets, and orchestral selections, benefited the St Mary Literary and Social Club.

Also in January, The Bee reported that the young ladies of Sandy Hook, “not to be outdone by their sisters up the Street,” were to hold a Leap Year Ball on January 28. The Standard Orchestra of Danbury was to furnish music for 24 dances. Committee members were Kate Killbride, Margaret Griffin, Mary Gordon, Anna Curtin, Margaret Hurley, Stella Killbride, Susie Cribbens, and Mary Kinsey. Margaret Hurley was floor director, with Maggie Lynch, Mrs H.A. Costello, Mary Blake, Katie Keating, and Celia Corbett as her aids. The reception committee was composed of Annie McGuire, Mary Barey, Grace Hook, Maggie McNamara, and Mrs J. Lynch. “The Catholic society in Sandy Hook and vicinity are looking forward to the event with pleasure,” the newspaper noted.

Old Rube Tanner was booked on February 21 and 22, 1896. The Bee advised the public to obtain tickets “before the rush.”

St Mary’s Social and Literary Club held a musical, entertainment, and dance on April 7, 1896. The amateur production was made up of local talent that The Newtown Bee reported “outshines professional efforts in the same time, and surpasses all previous attempts from an amateur standpoint.” Admission was 25 cents, reserved seats ten cents extra. A grand hop was to follow at 25 cents per couple. “As the proceeds are for a worthy objective, it will no doubt be liberally patronized by all classes,” the newspaper wrote. The entertainment was to include burlesque, several selections by a 10-piece orchestra, a quartet, a song, My Beautiful Irish Maid, and a farce, Here She Goes, and There She Goes.

A music festival featured 30 local amateur and professional musicians under the direction of Mrs J.W. Gordon in October 1896. Selections included a quartet with Mrs Gordon, violin; Arthur Platt, second violin; H.B. Telgmann, viola; and W. Banker, cello. Miss S. Carroll performed a vocal.

A minstrel and variety entertainment planned by the Virgilius Council, No. 185, Knights of Columbus for January 5, 1897, featured local talent that had the “promise of some side-splitting scenes,” The Bee said. A dance was to follow. The committee was made up of John Keating, Thomas Lillis, Michael Tierney, Joseph Lavery, Martin Talty, John H. Kane, and John Honan.

Hilarious situations were also promised for an April 20, 1897, series of farces presented by the Sandy Hook Dramatic Club. The committee was composed of F.H. Kilbride, Jesse Foley, and John Keating. The Bee noted there would be a “merry time for all.”

The Limerick Boy or Paddy’s Mischief, a drama, was performed in April 1897, featuring Jesse Foley, J. Keating, M. Purtell, J. McCarthy, F. Kilbride, Miss J. Campbell, and Miss B. Keating, with songs performed by Miss S. Carroll, V. Hays, and J. Callihan.

Also in April was a music festival by Professor C.S. Platt, Mrs J.W. Gordon and pupils, including a 15-piece orchestra, and quartets, duets, and solos on string and wind instruments.

On April 30, 1897, performers offered vocal selections to benefit St Mary’s Literary and Social Club, which The Newtown Bee noted was an “institution that has done an untold amount of good among young men of Sandy Hook.”

One of the last large events at the Opera House before the fateful fire was a Thanksgiving eve social, sponsored by St Mary’s Literary and Social Club. Men had a free chance on an 18-pound turkey, and ladies were given a free chance on a box of a dozen handkerchiefs. A light lunch was to be served at midnight.

It appears that Mr Costello did not rebuild the Opera House, as the 1905 map of Newtown indicates the property next to the iron bridge on Dayton Street was then owned by W.H. Hubbell. As Mrs Clark is listed as the owner of the land next to the Hubbell property, she may have rebuilt following the 1897 fire that completely destroyed her house and the Opera House.