Napa Opera House
Also known as: Crowey's Opera House
Why it's listed
Built in late 1879 and opened in January 1880, this two-story brick building at 1018-1030 Main Street in Napa holds an opera house on its upper floor, above three street-level shops. The auditorium measures about 54 feet by 76 feet, with a flat floor, a stage at the east end, a proscenium arch with side boxes, and a curved balcony at the west end. A flat floor with benches allowed the hall to host dances and balls as well as plays. Its significance rests on age and rarity: it is described as the second oldest commercial building remaining in Napa, among the five oldest theatres in California, and the only surviving second-floor theatre of its period in the country. Performers included magician Zamloch, singers Patti and Terazzini, and actor David Warfield, who debuted there in 1888. The hall closed in 1914 as motion pictures spread and touring companies declined, and the upper floor has since stayed unused as a theatre.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the second oldest commercial building remaining in Napa and among the five oldest existing theatres in California. It is described as the only surviving second-floor theatre of its period in the United States and an excellent example of a small, intimate late 19th-century theatre. It also hosted notable performers such as David Warfield, who made his stage debut there in 1888.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73000414, listed October 25, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1018-1030 Main St. on E side, Napa |
|---|---|
| County | Napa County |
| Listed | October 25, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73000414 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1879) |
| Areas of significance | Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Second-floor opera house is unoccupied and in fair condition, with fallen stucco and ceiling sections; the ground floor is occupied by a bar, a clothing store and a restaurant. The theatre closed in 1914 and has not been used as a theatre since. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 38.29967, -122.28564 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73000414.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3870216
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.