Built before 1900 in a style called Steamboat Gothic, the opera house hosts musicals, dramas, dance and touring groups.

Erected in 1889, the Opera House was designed and constructed by Elgin based architect Smith Hoag at a cost of $25,000. The construction materials are mostly of local origin including lime- stone, terra cotta, fieldstone, white brick and sandstone. Its architectural style is a mixture of late Victorian era tastes combined with Early American, Midwestern, Gothic & even Moorish elements. The interior is modeled after the showboats of the time, with dimensions and decorations that imitate many of those grand floating theatres.

The building continues to be owned and proudly maintained by the City of Woodstock and local residents. It features historic furnishings, stained glass windows, tin ceilings, original woodwork and hand drawn stencil ornamentations.