King Opera House

The King Opera House is a well-preserved Italianate commercial building on Main Street that still functions as a performance venue. The exterior is notable for its ornamental brick cornice and arched windows; the interior has been restored to something approaching its original appearance, with a small balcony and decorative plasterwork. It hosts concerts, plays, and community events throughout the year — check the local listings before visiting.

The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the most architecturally significant building in Van Buren's downtown. It is visible from the street and worth a stop even if no performance is scheduled.

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A story
The King Opera House was built in 1898 by merchant and civic booster Drennen King, who wanted to bring legitimate theatre to the Arkansas River valley. In its heyday the house hosted touring companies performing Shakespeare, opera, and vaudeville — an ambitious aspiration for a town of 3,000 people at the edge of Indian Territory. The building fell into disuse in the mid-twentieth century and was close to demolition before a local preservation effort saved it in the 1970s.