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HistoryThe building that houses the Rockwood Mill Shoppes and Opera House is rich in history and full of charm. Penrose Wolf, a prominent businessman and landowner in the community built the structure between 1898-1905. He designed it as two distinctive sections. The three-story section operated as a feed and lumber mill, which was instrumental in the expansion of Rockwood and the surrounding area at that time. Lumber, hay and feed were also shipped away on the B&O railroad adjacent to the property. The two story clapboard sided section contained a first floor storefront for the mill and upstairs, an opera house, popular at that time for the traveling performers,local theater productions, and lectures. There are still several reminders of the early performances preserved under Plexiglas. "Masie Ward Minstrels, October 1904" along with "We will be back" can be seen etched on the dressing room wall. One proud performer wrote "The world's greatest picture show. San Francisco Fire, June 15-16, 1906." A handbill plastered to the wall reads "H.J. Meyer's Marvelous Moving Pictures and Specialties. Moral, instructional, pleasing. March 16, 1906." No one knows for sure if the Masie Ward Minstrels ever did come back, or what happened after "The San Francisco Fire" picture show was shown, as there is no written record and no one who remembers what happened after that. These secrets will be forever locked away in the memory of those who lived in the little town of Rockwood, PA and those who performed in the opera house around the turn of the century. The feed mill was still in operation until 1992 by the Wolf family. From then until 2000, it lay dormant until February when Judy Pletcher stumbled upon it while looking for a place to house a women's fitness center. With a vivid imagination and a lot of hard work, the Pletchers started the renovation project. Since the opera house was left empty and unused for many years prior to the renovation, everything was in a state of decay. Layers of dirt and grime from the feed mill and the passing trains had covered the floors, walls and ceiling. Portions of the walls were falling in. An old safe was found and placed in the basement. The original elevator was still operational though it hadn't been inspected for over 50 years. In keeping with the national register of historical buildings, they have painstakingly restored the building following historical standards. The Pletcher family spent months of late nights and long weekends cleaning, painting and decorating the building themselves. Every surface had to be scrubbed removing layers of dirt and grime originally thought to have been paint. The chestnut paneling was cleaned with boiled linseed oil and 120 gallons of degreaser helped to remove the grime from the floor. The exterior was professionally painted using colors approved by the Historical Registar. Today the building houses an array of charming shoppes and services including more than 12 retail vendors including florals, wood crafts, jewelry, candles, maple products and homemade candy. The opera house stages a variety of musical entertainment and can be rented for special events. |
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