Millett Opera House
historical marker
The Millett Opera House, located in Austin, Travis County, Texas, was built in 1878 by Captain Charles F. Millett, a local businessman and Austin's first Fire Chief. Architect Frederick E. Ruffini designed the structure. Upon its completion, it served as a major cultural and social center for Austin, featuring 800 movable seats and 24-inch limestone walls. The venue hosted diverse events, from operas and theater productions to political conventions and legislative sessions. Figures like William Jennings Bryan and Buffalo Bill Cody appeared here. In 1896, it was converted into a skating rink, and later, the Austin Public Free Schools purchased the property in 1940. The Millett Opera House was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1965 by the State Historical Survey Committee. Today, the building houses The Austin Club. Its history reflects Austin's growth and cultural evolution.