Bodles Opera House


ABOUT		BODLES

Once you see Bodles (pronounced "Boo-dls"), I think you'll know why it's Orange County's favorite place for intimate music. It's not just "another" club, it's a special place -- rustic (wide wood plank floors, wood carvings, paintings and artifacts on all the walls), warm and intimate, and fun!

Orange County's fun night club and restaurant.
Live entertainment almost every night.
Parties and Hall space available for up to 250 people.
Intimate private dining room with gorgeous bar for up to 50 people.
Singing waiters & waitresses, Sing-A-Long.
Senior groups luncheon and supper.

Bodles History

The bodles opera house at 34 Main St. was operated from 1879 to 1907. The builder , William Wood Bodles was a carpenter. He built the opera house to satisfy the acting desires of his wife and himself. Many travelling shows, plays, minstrels, dances, and social functions were performed there as the leading entertainment center of Chester. With his death in 1907, it became a silent movie house, then a gym for a high school and later a meeting hall for a fraternal order.

This building, 39 Main St., was built in 1855 as a carriage factory by Mr. Sam Haddon. In 1855 he sold out to one of his employees. George Brooks continued the business, supplying local folks with buggies, wagons and many styles of carriages. With Mr. Brooks' death his son Clarence took over the business, bringing it into the 20th century, transforming it from horse to auto industry in 1926. New Chevrolets were sold there with car repairs and gasoline out front.

Many local people have fond memories of seeing horses being shod at the double forge that now serves as our bar. The bar top was made from oak, ash, chestnut and hickory boards left here from those days. The beams and floor boards are as they were. Only the stairs have been added. The front has been changed back to the original windows and doors as near as possible.

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