Abbeville was a railway stopover for road companies traveling the eastern seaboard from New York to Atlanta, so the town included an Opera House in its new municipal building designed by Edwards and Walter of Atlanta. Dedicated October 1st, 1908 along with the Court House, it opened October 10th with "The Great Divide" on its 7500 square foot stage. Many well known artists appeared in 250 live performances staged by traveling companies, including dramas, minstrel shows, and vaudeville. In 1910, moving pictures began playing weekly alongside stage shows. Live theatre ceased in the late 1920s when talkies arrived, and the Opera House closed its doors in the early 1960s. Fully restored in 1968 by Abbeville Community Theatre, it again staged live performances year round and was designated State Rural Drama Theatre of South Carolina in 2002.