The woman behind the first opera house in McCook

Emila Menard was one of the women featured at the Cemetery Tour on Sunday in the, need I say, sweltering heat. Mid-afternoon in June is no longer a pleasant time to be out in the sun but my volunteers were troopers!

When I write these, I write in first person as if she was standing by her graveside telling a bit of her story. I take some liberties in assuming what she would have said, since very little is known of our early women pioneers except for those who left diaries. Regardless, I find her story interesting.

Another historical note, the Menard Opera House was the first in McCook, the Bixler, the second and the Temple Building held the third. The first two burnt to the ground and the third was heavily damaged by fire after it became a movie theater.

“My given name was Emila Adele Rofinot and I was born to my French born parents on September 17, 1842 in Chicago, Ill. I married Joseph Menard in Chicago and we had 5 daughters together. At the time of my death, four of my daughters survived me: Mrs. S P Rinker, Mrs. Fred Harris- both of Denver, Mrs. J. E. Miley of Cincinnati, Ohio and my precious youngest daughter, Amie, who was living at home in McCook when I passed.

My husband and I came to McCook in 1884, two years after the birth of McCook. We were excited to be on the adventure of creating a city and we have been involved in its progress from the beginning.

Many notes are made concerning my husband, but, as a wife there are not many of my activities, save social meetings, that were recorded for history. You can be assured that my hand was in the creation of the first opera house in McCook, located in the Menard building. The building sat next to the bank on Main street where now sits a fitness business.

We were quite proud of this welcomed addition to the social scene and spent several years improving it with paint, landscapes, curtains…all the accompaniments necessary for the many programs that were held there. McCook may have been an infant, but our social scene could match those of much larger towns. Because even some of the churches did not have space for programs, many congregations held their special events in the opera house. Men vying for a political office spoke there, couples danced to the music of local bands, roving theatre groups presented their plays and social organizations held their fund raisers and parties within our building.

My husband and I were dedicated to the growth and improvement of McCook. We often donated the use of the opera house for projects intended for the good of McCook such as the fire house fund raiser. It would be ironic that when our beautiful building caught fire, the hook and ladder boys could not save it.

I was but 68 when called to heaven, my health having been failing for several months. The Catholic church was filled with my mourners, and by special request, Mrs. P. F. McKenna sang for my services. Though never famous, I stand by my contribution, among many silent women of my era, to the successful creation of a appreciation of music and theater for generations to come.”

SWNGS library is open on Thursday from 1-4 PM . We are located on the second floor of the Temple building, 322 Norris Avenue, room 2-7. There is an elevator for your use.