Built in 1914 by Phoebe Hearst and her Homestake Gold Mining Company, this historic performing arts venue and recreation center boasted an exquisite theater with 1,000 seats, and a library, a bowling alley, a billiards hall, a social hall, and a heated indoor swimming pool. From its construction in 1914 until a catastrophic fire in 1984, the Opera House was the center of community life and lifelong education in Lead, South Dakota.
The Homestake Opera House was once the center for not only theatre, but recreation too. When it was built in 1914, there was a theatre, swimming pool, billiards hall, social lounges, bowling alley and library. It was a true community center.
Today, the theatre is the only portion still in it's original use. The bowling alley has become an indoor shooting range and the swimming pool was covered with concrete and offices built on top of it. The social and billiards halls now house the Lead-Deadwood Arts Center and library is home to our interpretative exhibit.
Housed in what was the social and billiards hall, the Arts Center displays and sells many different art forms from local and non-local artists alike.Check out the art center, open Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm and Saturdays in the summer 10am-3pm.
Contact:
605-584-1461
hdlac@rushmore.com
leaddeadwoodartscenter.com
The original bowling alley that was a part of the Homestake Opera House building was converted to an indoor shooting range in 1992. The Lead Rifle and Pistol Club (LRPC) are the current tenants of the shooting range. The LRPC manages the indoor shooting range in the basement. The entrance to the LRPC shooting range is located in the back of the building on Julius Street, but is only accessible to current members of the LRPC.
Contact: Duane Ennis
605-722-2172
ennis@rushmore.com
