Opera House Fire
At one time in its history, Columbia was the home of a huge opera house located at 3rd. & Locust Sts. in downtown. The auditorium was built on the upper floors above six businesses at street level. February 19, 1947 became a fateful day when the opera house caught fire. Most of the flames were centered around the huge clock tower atop the buiding.
This 20 sq.ft. diorama depicts Columbia's downtown on that day. Most of the buildings still stand today, but may have changed owners. Other buildings no longer exist and were replaced. Hotel Columbia and Hotel Locust recently underwent a rebuilding process, and now have appartments. The diorama will contain buildings along 3rd St. including the historic Markethouse (the building with the round roof).
This project was completed in December 2023.
This diorama exteneds from one end of the layout near Yurzan Mine and a town built on a hill to hide the Reading Line's passage through the backdrop.
