History Comes Alive!

Historic Lake Benton has a colorful past and this history -- combined with the beautiful natural surroundings -- makes a delightful setting to visit. Add to this the interesting Victorian buildings from the 1880's and 1890's, plus unusual specialty shops, make for a fun-filled day in our community.

Historic Opera House | Historic Highway 14 | Scenic Byway 75 King of Trails
Other Historic Attractions | History of Lake Benton


[ Opera House ]

Our Historic Opera House

Welcome to the Lake Benton Opera House, one of the premiere historic buildings in southwest Minnesota. Home to an active community theatre, the Opera House has begun its second century in our community.

In December of 1895, only two weeks after fire had destroyed the original wood frame opera house, a group of citizens began construction of "a fine new brick structure." When it was finished in late 1896, it was considered one of the finenst of its kind in this part of the state.

It boasted a spacious stage, a horseshoe shaped balcony (still one of its most endearing features), private boxes for important guests, and a gas lighting system. It drew theatrical groups and traveling troupes of performers, and was the locale for school plays, concerts, political meetings, and public events.

From the 1920's through the early 1950's, the opera house was known first as The Majestic Theatre and later as The Valley Theatre, with movies shown on a regular basis.

Thereafter, the unoccupied building fell into a state of disrepair, with a devastating hail storm in 1963 dealing the grand old building a final blow and opening it up to the elements.

In 1970, with the building already scheduled for demolition, a group of citizens united in an effort to save it. Restoration began, always with the goal of retaining as much as possible of the original ambiance of the beautiful old building. On March 25, 1977, it was placed on The National Register of Historic Places.

Today, the Opera House is open from March until mid-December, with a full and varied program of plays and sponsored talent. You can join a growing number of groups from Minnesota and surrounding states to enjoy its offerings.


17-Opera House (28K)

2008 Schedule

Broadway Meets Lake Benton
March 29 at 2:00pm & 7:30 p.m.


Spring Play
"Barefoot in the Park"
April 18, 19, 25, 26
Showtimes at 7:30 p.m.
Matinee Performance
2:00 p.m.
April 15 & 22

Old Time Fiddlers
May 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Summer Musical
"High School Musical"
July 24, 25, 26, 30, 31
Showtime 7:30 p.m.
August 1, 2,
Showtime 7:30 p.m.

Matinee Performance

2:00 p.m.

July 27, Aug. 2 & 3
Saturday, August 2nd will be Senior Citizen Day.
Seniors will be able to purchase tickets for only $10.00 for the
2:00pm Show!

Old Time Fiddlers
September 7 at 2:00 p.m.

Fall Play
"Little Shop of Horrors"
October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11
Showtime 7:30 p.m.
Matinee Performance

2:00 p.m.

October 5, 11 & 12
Saturday, October 11th will be Senior Citizen Day.
Seniors will be able to purchase tickets for only $10.00 for the
2:00pm Show!

Children's Theatre
November 15
Showtime at 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.

Opera House Christmas Show
December 6
Showtime 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.

More about each of the productions & Ticket Prices

For Reservations or visit us at www.lakebentonoperahouse.org
Call (507) 368-4620

 
 

[ Highway 14 ]

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Highway

[ Highway Map ]In 1994 a segment of U.S. Highway 14, running from Lake Benton east to Mankato, was officially designated as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Highway, in honor of the famous author of the "Little House" series of books.

Each town along the highway has identified specific sites which relate the the Ingalls era of the late 1800's, as the family traveled along the route from Wisconsin to DeSmet, S.D., settling for a time at Walnut Grove, Minnesota, 45 miles to the east of us, where you can enjoy their annual Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant.

Look for the Laura Ingalls Wilder Guide, which will help you find these interesting sites and events along Historic Highway 14.

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hwy75logo (11K)

The King of Trails Scenic Byway

Hwy75 (23K) Highway #75 was historically known as the "King of Trails" before highways were numbered in 1926. An organization, "The International Historic Highway 75 King of Trails Coalition" was incorporated in 2000 for the purpose of cooperative marketing and promotion of the communities along the highway and its corridor. In 2001, the Minnesota Legislature designated Highway 75 as the "Historic King of Trails. And, in 2004 the highway became a Minnesota State Scenic Byway. the Historic King of Trails website.


[ Other Historic ]

Other Historic Attractions

*Snyder Family Pioneer Cabin & Snyder's Flats
When you vist Hole-in-the-Mountain park, you will find the Snyder family cabin remaining from the first settlement in Lake Benton in 1860. Driving east of this location, you pass Snyder's Flats. In 1888, it was the site of the GAR Civil War Encampment, at which time over 5,000 visitors came by special trains from all over the Midwest. Today we hold our "Benton-Fremont Days, Te Tonka Ha Rendezvous and Hehdoka Knap-In" at this location.
[ More ]. . . about the historic Snyder site.
 
*Pioneer Dugout & Trading Post
High in the hills -- about 2,000 feet above sea level -- you can see the entire valley, the lake, parks, Nature Conservancy site, and wind towers. In this high park area is found the remains of an early dugout cabin which was the home for the William Taylor family in the 1860's. Also found here is the site of Major Brown's Trading Post, which also dates from the 1860's.
 
*Historic Buildings