Bovill Opera House

The exact construction date of the Bovill Opera House is unknown, however it is known that the opera house was in use by 1911.  The opera house survived both major fires in Bovill in 1912 and 1914.  Almost immediately after completion the Bovill Opera House was the hub of respectable social activity in Bovill and the surrounding areas.  The opera house gave the community a less rambunctious form of entertainment as the other forms of entertainment in Bovill consisted of billiards halls and bars.  The Bovill Opera House has two levels, the theater is in the first floor while the dance hall is in the upper floor.  The Bovill Opera House was initially used for dances, silent films, student plays, vaudeville shows, private social gatherings and community activities.  The opera house began showing moving pictures before Bovill had electricity and installed a generator outside of the building to produce the power necessary to display the pictures. 

Bovill Opera House, c.a. 1920, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 02-06-007.

By the 1930s the Bovill Opera House hosted ‘talkies’ or movies with speaking roles.  During the 1930s the dance floor upstairs was converted to a miniature golf course and then into a roller skating rink.  The Bovill Opera House closed during World War II.  After World War II, Lloyd Hall ran the theater, showing older movies, until the popularity of television overcame the financial viability of the theater.  The Opera House closed for daily operation in 1955, however it was opened occasionally in the 1970s and 1980s as the Bovill Historical Museum.  The opera house is currently under restoration by the Bovill Improvement Group interested in once again making it the hub of community activities.

Bovill Opera House, 1978, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 02-03-022.

References:

Julin, Suzanne. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Bovill Opera House. Missoula, MT, December 8, 2009.


Otness, Lillian W. A Great Good Country: A guide to Historic Moscow and Latah County, Idaho. (Moscow: Latah County Historic Society, 1983), 140.

Bovill Opera House, 1978, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 02-03-029.

Bovill Opera House, 1978, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 02-03-030.