Historic Landmark Remembered

Monument at Hanley Saskatchewan

The Hanley Opera House, a 70' by 57' brick structure, was completed in 1914 at a cost of $24,000 and became the focal point of cultural activity and commerce for the large area served by Hanley at the time. It housed the town and R.M. office, telephone office, dentist and doctor's offices, a lab as well as operating and recovery room, veterinarian, shoemaker and for many years, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police detachment office. But It was known mainly as a place of entertainment, the center for dances on the second floor and for performances from stars such as Mary Pickford, Harry Lauder, Boris Karloff and the popular Chautauqua performers. All activity moved to the new Centennial Hall in 1967 and while there were many who wanted the building restored, a study in 1980-82 revealed unsafe conditions and the historic Opera House was demolished a few years later.

Heres a photo of a local band taken in 1945 playing in the Hanley opera house. Making up the 'Foopnagles band' were Sandy and Neil McCallum who had a farm in Sunnyvalley, Gordon Bruce and Lois Hamilton (now Bruce), and Glen and Lee Mason who's father Nat was a CNR agent and Lloyd Beaumont.

As Lee Mason recalls, "We played there for dances on Friday and Saturday and filled the place--standing room only." The band also played for dances in Kenaston but the family soon moved to Punnichy Saskatchewan in Dec 1945 and changed the band name to 'Tick Tock Rythym' and travelled around to various towns playing for Saturday night dances.

Opera House shortly before demolition

Detailed info on the Hanley Opera House

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