From Claude Moore - The Bonitz Brothers of Goldsboro

In 1881 Julius Bonitz built the Messenger Opera House in Goldsboro on the north east corner of Chestnut and Center Streets. Many traveling musical and dramatic groups played at the opera house. In fact, the famous Sousa Band played there as well as the Ziegfield Musicals, and Billie Burke.

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From The Goldsboro Headlight

9 Dec 1887

Theatrical Entertainment - The Rose Osborne Dramatic Company has the Messenger Opera House here on the 12th, 13th, and 14th, and we think we can safely promise our readers three charming and delightful evenings of thrilling joy and amusement. The company is composed of twenty persons, accompanied by whiting Superb Cornet Band and Brown's Operatic Orchestra.

16 Dec 1887

The charming Patti Rosa appears at the Messenger Opera House next Tuesday. She will have the finest audience of the season. The usual reduced rates from Wilson, and a special train will be arranged to come up from Newbern. Don't miss this rare treat.

Patti Rosa - This charming little actress will appear at the Messenger next Tuesday. It is only necessary to mention her date to assure her a rousing reception, for no other star is so popular with our people as Patti Rosa. The dramatic critics of the Atlanta Constitution and Cincinnati Enquirer have compliments for her.

13 Jan 1888

The famous star M'll Rhea will appear at the Messenger Opera House next Thursday, presenting that great french drama, "From Frou," in which Sara Bernhard made a world-wide success. The usual reduced rates will be issued by the railroads leading into Goldsboro and we trust that the countess will have a "packed house."

20 Jan 1888

"Jim the Penman" will be pesented at the Messenger Opera House next Tuesday. Do not miss this play if you desire to spend a pleasant evening. It will be rendered by the A. M. Palmers' company and as the play itself is one of the Madison Square Theatre successes, we predict for them a full house.

This week, the Goldsboro "Theatre goers," have had quite a treat almost every night at the Messenger Opera House. On Monday night the treat consisted of Gillettes famous play "Held by the Enemy" and the "Little Tycoon" by Goldsboro's Amateur Troupe under the auspices of Goldsboro's Ladies' Benevolent Society.

27 Jan 1888

Fred. Warde at the Opera House tonight and tomorrow night.

Our opera House is a credit to our city and we venture the assertion there is not a more beautiful and will equipped Opera House in our State, and yet, we hope we will be pardoned for making two suggestions: first as to the inferiority of the lighting apparatus, and the insufficiency of the heat on cold nights. We have learned much complaint of late in regard to both. A mere suggestion, we think, is all that is needed.

29 May 1889

The closing exercises of the Graded School will come off at the Messenger Opera House Friday night. Prof. W. A. Blair of Winston, will deliver the address and the diplomas will be presented by C. B. Aycock, Esq., chairman of the Board of Trustees. Prof. E. A. Alderman will read the annual report and the occasion will be of much interest.

The Opera House last Monday night was crowded to its upmost capacity to listen to the singing and recitations by a class of the children of the Oxford Orphan Asylum, under the able management of Miss Lena M. Hudgins. It was a rare musical and literary treat and too much credit cannot be bestowed upon our esteemed townsman Mr. John H. Powell, through whose only efforts the affair was a decided financial success.

19 Mar 1890

The fourteenth annual convention of the Y.M.C.A. of North Carolina convened in this city at the Messenger Opera House Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The first session was devoted to the outlining of business and the introduction of delegates. Prof. W. A. Blair of Winston presided over the convention as chairman.

6 May 1891

A grand vocal concert for the benefit of the Y.M.C.A. will be given at the Opera House Friday night.

The Goldsboro white Graded School will celebrate its "Decennial", 1881-1891, on Friday the 22nd inst. The exercises will take place at the Opera House to which the public is invited to attend.

1 Feb 1900

The Choral Society gave another of their delightful entertainments at the Opera House Wednesday night which was largely attended.

A Musical Treat in Store - The far-famed Grand Operatic Company of London will hold the boards of the Opera House in this city next Tuesday night under a special guaranteed engagement. They will present the second act of "Romeo and Juliet," fourth act of "Trovatore," followed by a complete performance of "Cavalleria Rosticana," magnificently costumed. Suffice it to say that a rare treat is in store for our music-loving citizens.

More information about the Opera House can be found in The Goldsboro Headlight