After doing a post on the original proprietors at the Apollo, we realized that the above archival image of the Harlem Opera House provided a better view of the owners the two 125th Street institutions had in common. Hurtig & Seamon's apparently had the burlesque thing going on within the classical theater district at 125th Street by the early 1920's and it would seem that the prohibition era brought in a different type of culture to Harlem's main entertainment district. The Harlem Opera House was built in 1889 and had more respectable performances on its stage but by 1922, another proprietor would change the direction of the shows presented. Today, a newer building stands in its place as one can see in the lower photo. Click on top image to enlarge.
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