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Baker Building

Dover, US

Baker Building

The Baker Building, also known as Baker's Opera House, in Dover, Morris County, New Jersey, United States, is a historic theater built of brick in the mid-1880s. Built in the Eclectic style, it has three stories plus a tower. On the north side facing Blackwell Street, there are recessed brick panels

, granite lintels and window sills, and a granite panel reading "Baker Building." A Mail Pouch Tobacco sign covers the south side of the building. The "Opera House" was built by William Henry Baker as a vaudeville theater. The grand opening was on April 5, 1886, with the Alfa Norman English Opera Company performing The Bobetuian Girl. On April 6 the same company performed The Mikado. Tickets cost $1.00 to $1.50. Later fare included other Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas, magic shows and minstrel shows featuring Arthur Deming. In 1906 the theater was thoroughly reconstructed and started showing silent films along with vaudeville performances after it reopened on December 5, 1906. The renovation cost $75,000 and included many plaster ornaments and friezes. Movies started at 7 P.M. with five vaudeville acts started at 8 P.M. with both shows accompanied by a seven piece orchestra. After W. H...

Listen to the audio guide for Baker Building Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

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