MADDOCK — Several years ago, a group of people from near and far began the revival of the more than 100-year-old Harriman building in Maddock. Today the building houses the Maddock Opera House Association, Harriman's Coffee House, Harriman's Restaurant and The Bobcat Bar, and the city library.
Last month a grand opening was held for the Maddock Opera House.
Restoration of the building took many hours of hard work.
The 1905-constructed Harriman Building located on Maddock's Main Street is home to the Maddock Opera House Association, a North Dakota nonprofit corporation, according to Gregg Davidson, association board member.
"The association is owned by its 160 members from near and far who have unselfishly given of their time, funds and labor," Davidson told the Minot Daily News.
The building was named for L.W. Harriman, a local businessman. Over the years, the building has housed a number of businesses including a clothing store and a co-op store. More recently, it housed a hardware store. In its heyday, the upper floor was used for events including stage productions, vaudeville performances and as a gymnasium. People also roller skated there.
Eight years ago, in May 2009, the first meeting was held to brainstorm ideas for the 104-year-old Harriman Building, Davidson said.
The Maddock Opera House Association was created in September 2009 and the first renovation work began by covering the building's roof with plastic in November 2009. Other renovation work followed.
Two years later, in September 2011, the first performance was held "in the rough" by Merrill Piepkorn and the Radio Stars Band in the future second floor Opera House Ballroom, Davidson said.
Occupancy began on the first floor with Harriman's Coffee House opening in June 2013 followed by the Maddock Community Library opening in August 2013 and Harriman's Restaurant & The Bobcat Bar opening in October 2013.
Renovations were completed to the second floor Opera House Ballroom in 2016 and 2017.
The grand opening and building dedication was held July 1.
Those involved in the project retained as many of the historical aspects of the building as they could, while still incorporating modern and required features.
Some of the notable features include, according to Davidson: a grand staircase to the second floor, a lobby at top of grand staircase, an elevator to the second floor, a ballroom with original stage, a vaulted ceiling with original exposed wood truss beams, twelve-foot walls with colors and trim from the early days, solid oak hardwood floors, year-round climate control, elegant wall sconce lighting and vintage "Thomas Edison" overhead fixtures.
The building also has a kitchen, restroom and stage restroom.
To finance the project to renovate the opera house, "It was a combination of grants, low interest loans and very generous donations," said Davidson, about the funding of the renovation project. He referred to a plaque showing appreciation to the "generous citizens of Maddock and those from near and far have unselfishly given of their time, funds and labor to bring the Dream of a full renovation to this, the Harriman Building, to realization."
"It's much bigger than any one person or any one board. This truly was a team effort by so many people," Davidson said.
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