11-22-24

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

  Several dozen people met at the Uvalde Grand Opera House Thursday evening November 21st for a presentation on the “Ghosts, Goblins and a Drunk Dragon: A History of the Grand Opera House” by Opera House Manager Caitlyn Visel.

  The Uvalde Grand Opera House was constructed in 1891 and is one of the oldest buildings in the downtown area along with the Stein Building located across from the Uvalde City Hall.  

  Visel spoke about the Opera House which from the late 1890’s to 1914 which featured traveling Vaudeville Shows and traveling performers. A high school graduation event was also held at the Opera House. From the start of World War 1 in 1914 through the Great Depression, much of the Opera House was converted into office spaces occupied by various businesses. 

  Not much written history or artifacts remain from the early days of the Opera House as many theater productions in the early days did not print programs and any show posters were not kept. 

 John Nance Garner bought the Opera House and had an office in the Opera House on the second floor overlooking the downtown area in 1917.

 From the 1950’s through the 1970’s, the Opera House was not used and remained closed until the City of Uvalde acquired the building from the Garner Estate for $10 in 1978.

“In 1979, a commission was formed to raise funds to renovate the Opera House and return it to its former glory. The Opera House was officially re-opened in 1982 and was the center stage of Uvalde once again! Hosting dozens of plays, musicals, and a variety of other shows, the Opera House was once again a part of the community and way of life in Uvalde<‘ according to information from the Uvalde Grand Opera House website.

 Ghosts of the Opera House

  While Visel said she has personally not seen any of the three ghosts that haunt the Opera House, she said she has seen strange occurrences and heard unexplained noises during her time working at the Opera House with Program Coordinator Camille Jefcoat.

  Visel said that in 2020 the paranormal occurrences had increased due to the lack of events happening at the Opera House due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 She said that the elevator inside the Opera House would move on its own and the doors would open on each floor. Once she heard what sounded like a chair being dragged along a wooden floor was heard from above. She also said that following one night’s performances. The smell of cigar and cigarette smoke has been detected along with other smells.  Visel continued stating that the unusual movements of the elevator were reported when it was undergoing an inspection. She said the inspectors could not find any technical reason that would cause the elevator to operate on its own during the day.

  She also said after the performances, she went to the downstairs dressing room to turn off all the lights before leaving only to find the lights were back on the next morning. 

  She went on to say others who have seen the ghosts recall seeing a woman in red, a woman in white and a small child.

 Visel stated she believes the ghosts are good ghosts.

The discussion of the paranormal occurrences at the Opera House may have been precipitated by an upcoming show in January 2025 called, “Ghosts of Texas”.

  On Saturday, January 11th, 2025, Klinge Brothers from the Discovery Channel show Ghost Lab will be held from  7pm to 9pm at the Uvalde Grand Opera House in Uvalde, Texas, presenting the “Ghosts of Texas”  

 Visel said in addition to the Ghosts of Texas show, a special VIP event limited to 12 people will occur between 9-10 PM that evening where a small group can join the Klinge brothers in a ghost quest experience. 

Tickets are on sale now at the Uvalde Opera House.

 

 by Michael Robinson

Photo by Robinson

   Like a recurring nightmare, Friday’s bomb threat against Robb Elementary School  once again brought DPS vehicles and officers who closed the surrounding streets. Furthermore, DPS even asked neighbors living in the area to evacuate as their officers swept the campus looking for explosives.

  Once again, the neighbors who live near the school were thrown back into a state of emergency albeit for a short time. 

 The phoned in bomb threat even prompted officials to recommend Uvalde County Courthouse officials and occupants to shelter in place.

  Why would someone call in a bomb threat to a school that has been empty for over a year?  Could it be, the perpetrators knew by calling in the threat, Robb School name would be invoked and brought up in the news media which would exacerbate the fears and anxiety which are difficult to abate?

   I can’t imagine what it is like living within a couple of blocks of Robb Elementary School today. The constant visual reminder being ever present.

   Since the tragedy of May 4th, 2023. The outside of Robb Elementary School has become a memorial site for many. It is the place many come to visit to grieve and remember the lives of the children lost and the two teachers. 

  Some have traveled from all over the United States and the world to stand on the ground just yards from an event so horrific it is difficult to wrap one’s minds around. 

   Like a book laid open with the same two pages open, the Robb School campus seem frozen in time. 

   Robb School can never be a school again. 

  As long as the buildings remain, DPS will likely have to post officers around the site for the foreseeable future.

   It could be repurposed as a memorial site where people can go to honor and remember those who perished. It is a large piece of property that affords many possibilities. 

  Just as the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation has taken thoughtful, gradual steps in the process of building a new elementary school, the same thoughtfulness, care and sensitivities will be needed when moving forward with the Robb School Memorial. 

  Keeping those school buildings  is likely not only going to delay the healing process but could also draw others to make similar threats against the structure. 

  Uvalde CISD school officials and the Uvalde Mayor and Uvalde City Council members are going to have to make some difficult decisions regarding how to move forward. I don’t envy  them. 

  Neighbors may eventually decide to move as the constant reminder of the school is just too painful to bear. Continual threats keep people on edge. When will the next shoe going to drop?

  Delaying making decisions is making a decision.