[5] After the three-story Bailey House Hotel, at Broad and Bridge Streets, burned down in 1863, the Nevada Theatre Association began fundraising for a new building.

When the theater opened on September 9, 1865,[4] the first performance was the John Poole two-act comedy entitled The Dutch Governor, or 'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer.

[8] During the COVID-19 closure, the theatre was painted with an original mural spanning the entire auditorium by local artist Sarah Coleman, with Brianna French and Miles Toland.

[10] Notable past performers include Lotta Crabtree, Mötley Crüe, Jack London, Emma Nevada, Mark Twain, and The Second City comedy troupe.

[7][8] Present day main users include: The Nevada County Liberal Arts Commission was formed in the 1960s to purchase the building from United Artists.