[1] The opera house was constructed in 1889 by William S. Weir, a Monmouth businessman who also owned the Bank of Alexis.

In addition, a number of civic functions were held in the building; Alexis High School held its graduation ceremony in the opera house every year until the building's closure, and numerous public meetings and community performances took place there as well.

The building's owner, William A. McKnight, considered the changes too expensive to be worth undertaking and never reopened the opera house.

McKnight continued to run a funeral parlor and hardware store in the building's commercial spaces through 1950.

[2] The Alexis Opera House was designed in the Romanesque Revival style.