The Old North Yakima Historic District was created and placed on the National Register on May 2, 1986, by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, and the Opera House is a contributing member. A. F. Switzer built the Opera House for live theater productions. In 1905, North Yakima Brewing and Malting Company produced beer for local consumption. Forced out of business in 1916 by prohibition, it was remodeled into Yakima Storage and Transfer Company. In 1982, the Opera House was again home to one of the nation’s first micro-breweries and the first Brew pub in the United States, Yakima Brewing and Malting, makers of Grant's Ales.