In 1883, Seattle businessman George F. Frye and his wife Louisa Denny Frye commissioned the building of a first-class opera house for the growing city. Located at the corner of First Avenue and Marion Streets, the elegant 1300-seat hall opened in 1884. Frye managed the house himself. It featured performances by national and international touring groups and provided a gathering place for local events. Frye’s Opera House was destroyed in June 1889 during the Great Seattle Fire.

This 1887-1888 ledger from Frye’s Opera House includes detailed accounts relating to performances by a variety of opera companies, musical groups, theater companies, and lecturers. These include the Pyke Opera Company, Baird’s Minstrels, and two runs of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Sinking fund accounting relating to the financing of the opera house is found in the back of the ledger.

Caption information source: Seattletheaterhistory.org "The Early History of Theatre in Seattle," "Frye's Opera House".