ROGERS HALL (Used from 1877-1892, demolished in 1966)
970 H Street

The first "legitimate" entertainment space in Modesto. It boasted a three-cornered stage, surrounded by gas footlights. There was sawdust on the floor and "hard-backed wooden benches" for seats. Little ventilation was provided by the screened windows. Here, early Modestans took part in public gatherings, dances, plays, "first rate theatrical shows," graduations and political rallies. Since it was on the second floor, the hall could only be entered by way of an outside wooden stairway attached to another buildng across the street, then crossing back over the alley on a narrow wooden bridge that entered the hall through a five foot wide entrance. At times, as many as 400 people would attend activities at the hall.

PLATO'S OPERA HOUSE (Used from 1892-1910, demolished in the 1960s)
10th Street between H and I
This hall was also known as "The Armory," because the National Guard rented it for social activities and fundraisers. Unlike the wooden structure of Rogers Hall, Plato's Opera House was of brick and steel construction and boasted gas and electrical lighting. Again, it was on the second floor, above David and Gabriel David Plato's men's store. In 1910, the hall was converted into hotel rooms, so Rogers Hall was in use again for a short period after Plato's closed.

THE AUDITORIUM (Also known as Merry Garden Ballroom and Skating Rink)
(Stage 1912-1922; Movies 1922-1936; Ballroom and Skating Rink, 1936-1960; destroyed by fire in 1978)
6th and I Streets
An 1800 seat "theater," The Auditorium boasted a 30x40 foot stage, dressing rooms and stage equipment for any type of theatrical production. It opened in February of 1912 and was used for many productions and community gatherings. In 1922, after the opening of The Strand Theater, The Auditorium was turned into a movie theater. In 1936 it was converted into the Merry Garden Ballroom and Skating RInk and finally closed in 1960. Fire finally claimed the old wooden building in 1978.

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