If you’ve never heard of the Sterling Opera House, don’t worry. This place stopped holding performances back in 1945. But the building still stands, a testament to American industrialism. The remnants of the once thriving establishment still lure in visitors, who are mesmerized not only by the sights, but by the secrets.

Built in 1889, this historic opera house can be found in the tiny town of Derby.
Emily Read/Flickr
Built by one of the creators behind New York's Carnegie Hall, you can bet it was beautifully done. In fact, it was the first building in Connecticut to be selected for the National Register of Historic Places. The likes of Harry Houdini and Amelia Earhart once graced this stage!

Related Stories

The Awesome Hike In Connecticut That Will Take You Straight To An Abandoned Castle

The Awesome Hike In Connecticut That Will Take You Straight To An Abandoned Castle

 Few People Know About This Abandoned Train Tunnel Hiding Near A Connecticut Castle

Few People Know About This Abandoned Train Tunnel Hiding Near A Connecticut Castle

 Travel Into The Past With A Visit To The Remains Of This Abandoned Connecticut Mining Town

Travel Into The Past With A Visit To The Remains Of This Abandoned Connecticut Mining Town
Everything from old posters to the lipstick prints of actresses can be found on the walls.
Emily Read/Flickr
From the balconies to the backstage, you're sure to find traces of the past. You'll find hat racks under the seats, old backdrops on stage and even a trap door. After decades of abandonment, it's incredible that this place still exists!
But things get stranger and stranger the further down you travel.
Emily Read/Flickr
The basement of the opera house reveals offices and prison cells. Among its prisoners was Lydia Sherman, an infamous serial killer. Do you think she enjoyed the sound of performances above her, or did it only make her envy the spectator's freedom? And who thought putting a prison under such a gorgeous venue was a good idea?

Check out this clip from the Travel Channel, where the opera house was featured as part of a paranormal investigation, to see more. Get a look at the surrounding area, the jail cells, and even the haunting!

The Sterling Opera House isn’t the only abandoned place in Connecticut. Why not take the Abandoned Places Road Trip and see what other secrets you can unearth? Show us what you find by sharing your photos with us on Instagram @onlyinconnecticut to have them featured.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Connecticut