The Show Must Go On: The Story of the Grand Opera House of the South

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In the year 1901, David E. Lyons built a theatre in downtown Crowley. It is estimated that the entire 33,000 square foot building priced out at approximately 18,000 dollars. The original name for this theater is debated, but the terms, “the opera house” (according to The Crowley Post Signal article by Crystal Istre) and “The Grand” (according to the Grand Opera House of the South’s official website) are two names that can be found in the oldest records. Regardless of the name, the theater was used predominately for live performances in its first years, before the era of silent films became popular and took the stages by storm. In the year 1920, The Crowley Elk Lodge purchased the theater from Lyons.

Following the silent film heyday and the Great Depression, The Grand was forced to shut its doors in 1940. It unfortunately sat empty for 69 years. Contrary to reasonable suspicion, the theater itself was preserved well. In 1999, John Lazar Gielen and his family purchased the building. The Gielen family owned it until the year 2004, when they donated it to the newly founded 501c3 “Grand Opera House of the South”. Over time, and with overwhelming support from local, state, and federal historical preservation organizations, the GOHS was able to give the building 4.5 million dollars worth of repairs and improvements. They were even able to reopen in 2008. (GOHS website)

The Crowley Post Signal told the story originally written by the Crowley Daily Signal on an esteemed guest appearance in 1921. The story consists of how the New York Yankees, spearheaded by the famed Babe Ruth came to Crowley to play a game of baseball. The Grand and the nearby Acadia theater both played films that starred the great bambino in honor of the special visit. The Grand went one step further though. They made an advertisement with Babe Ruth on it indicating that he will be making a special appearance during the screening. Throngs of people flocked into the Grand to see him. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that Babe Ruth actually showed up. It was likely much to the disappointment of the theatergoers, but nevertheless made for a very lucrative day for the box office at the Grand. With that said, it should be noted that The Crowley Post Signal wrote another story in 2014 indicating that Babe Ruth’s autograph is
clearly written on the walls. Given this, it muddies the waters and makes it much more difficult to truly know if the renowned baseball player actually made an appearance.

All in all, the GOHS is a story of revival and hope for theater and showbiz of days gone by.

Uknown author, http://www.thegrandoperahouse.org/what-we-do “History of the Grand Opera House” unknown date

Crystal Istre The Crowley Post Signal “Crowley’s Opera House” https://www.newspapers.com/image/ 470680235/?match=1&terms=“Crowley’s%20Opera%20House”%20 Page 18 April 11, 2004

Mire, Ann and Quibodeaux, Meghan S. The Crowley Post Signal “Dave E. Lyons’ ‘Grand’ Vision” https://www.newspapers.com/image/487418641/?match=1&terms=“Dave%20E. %20Lyons’%20‘Grand’%20Vision” page 6 also responsible for both black and white pictures 6, August 17, 2014

Picture of clipping regarding New York Yankees: Unknown author, The Crowley Post Signal, Wednesday March 16, 1921, page 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/226469717/?match=1

In color photos taken by C.E. Richard with photographer in March 2024