1893 - 1917 
Denison Opera House 114-116 West Woodard Denison, Texas Sunday Gazetteer
Denison, Texas May 28, 1893 That Denison is to have a new, safe and handsome opera house is now an assured fact. Mr. Wilkinson, the gentleman who has undertaken the work, is by no means a novice in the theatrical world. He is also an old citizen of Denison and understands what he is undertaking to do. He has purchased the three-story ____ building at Nos. 110 and 112 Woodard street, and as soon as the premises are vacant by the Masonic lodges a large force of carpenters will be put to work tearing out the entire interior construction of the building, and everything will be rebuilt entirely new. Mr. Wilkinson states that the Denison people shall have a house that is not only as safe as money and architecture can secure but that the construction and equipment will be such as to yield the highest degree of comfort and pleasure. There are to be at least five exits in the case of fire or accidents, and the building proper will be one of the strongest in the city. The ceiling, or dome, will be constructed of steel, and everything will be done to make it as securely fire-proof as possible. Mr. Wilkinson says he will give the Denison people first-class companies. The theatre will be furnished sumptuously; the chairs will be upholstered and of the best. The floor will be constructed on an incline and the dress circle built in tiers making every seat to the house good. The construction of the whole interior plans, including scenery, will be under the supervision of Mr. Frank Cox, the eminent theatrical expert architect of New York and New Orleans. Mr. Cox will arrive in the city Saturday and will begin work immediately. "The building at 114-116 West Woodard Street was erected by E.V. Ransford in 1889, to house his furniture store.
John Wilkinson purchased the property in 1893 and converted it into an opera house." Milton L. Eppstein, a partner in the tobacco and liquor with his father, purchased the Denison Opera House from John Wilkinson in 1895 and remodeled the place to make it more attractive. Upon the death of his father, Milton L. Eppstein engaged John H. Gardner as his partner in the Denison Opera House, The Eppstein family moved to Ft. Worth, and J.R. Haven joined Gardner as co-owner. When Gardner died in 1912, his widow Zida, took over the management of the famous Opera House until 1917 when silent movies became the form of entertainment for the public. Ticket buyers abandoned the Opera House with its stage shows and it finally closed in 1917. The building was used for other businesses. In 1926 Babcock Brothers Auto Supply purchased and moved from 113 N. Rusk Avenue into the 1889 structure, removing the top two floors and adding a curved roof. The Auto Supply company used the famous building until 1938. 
"A Few Snap Shots of the Denison Opera House" Milton L. Eppstein, Owner & manager Robinson, Frank M., comp. Industrial Denison. [N.p.] : Means-Moore Co., [ca, 1909]. Page 27
1900 
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