Henry Opera House

Blind Tom, the pianist the marker lists among the performers, was Thomas Greene Wiggins, born into slavery in Georgia on May 25, 1849. His family was sold in 1850 to James Neil Bethune of Columbus. In 1859, at about ten, he played at the White House for President Buchanan, the first African American performer to do so. After a custody fight, Tom was placed with Eliza Bethune, the former wife of Bethune's late son. His mother, Charity Wiggins, was a party to the suit but gained no control of him or his income.

What the plaque says

Henry Opera House Built in 1880 as lodge hall. First floor soon became a dry goods and grocery store, and second was made into a fine theater by owner, John Henry (1828-97). Here traveling troupes played Shakespeare and dramas of the times. Famous magician Hermann the Great made Texas debut here; and Blind Tom, self-taught Negro piano virtuoso, once performed on this stage. After period as skating rink, opera house showed first motion picture in the city, about 1909. But with building of new theater, it closed and came again to be used for offices and stores. (1972)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site — 31 mi
  A cedar-log dogtrot cabin of 1834 on the road through Anderson that grew into a seventeen-room inn and post office for travelers of the Republic, kept by one family until 1976.

More markers nearby

• The Five Courthouses of Walker County — steps away
• Forrest Lodge No. 19, A.F. & A.M. — steps away
• Sallie E. Gibbs — steps away
• Site of Cumberland Presbyterian Church — steps away