The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-04-13
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NEWS FOR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES time since
we mentioned the fact that The Southern
Express Company in consistence with its
characteristic enterprise, intended to re-
place its building destroyed by fire during
the carnival Of Shermau,) with Il commo-
dious and elegant structure which should at
once accommodate the business of the Ex-
press and Telegraph Companies, and give
the good citizens of Columbia what they
have so long needed-a first class opera
house. 1t gratlies us now to state that this
plan has taken definite shape, and that
contracts for the construction of the build.
ing are being entertained by those who
have the matter in charge.
The edifice will be erected on the lot
owned by the company, at the South east
corner of Richardson and Taylor streets,
and opposite the new hotel. 1t will have a
frontage of ninety feet, after the Corinthian
order OF architecture, with depth of 2lO
feet, and will be three stories in hight, sur
mounted by the fashionable Mansard roof.
The lower floor will be divided into three
compartments running through the whole
extent OF the building-one of which will be
occupied as the Express Office, another by
the Telegraph Company. and the third, we
learn, is already engaged by one of our
leading dry goods merchants.
The whole OF the upper portion of the
building will be devoted to the purposes Of
an Opera House, constructed as an amph-
theatre, with an alternate or shifting floor.
so rs to be easily converted to the uses of IL
ballroom or assembly house for conventions
or pnbllc meetings of any description. The
stage will be thirty-fve by forty-six feet in
area and will be furnished with scenery and
machinery Of a permanent character. There
will be n parquette; four private boxes on
either side of the stage; dress circle, and
an upper tier. All the seats will be of the
latest style and elegantly cushioned, and
the floors are to bo finely carpeted, except
that of the upper tier, which will be pro-
vidc9 with COCO mating only. In the rear
OF the dress circle and extending all around
it, will be corridor twenty-five feet wide
and hnnked on both sides by refresh ment
and segar saloons.
The mnin entrance to the Opera House
will be on Richardson street, to the left of
tho building and, in addition to the ticket
Office, provision will be made for eloak
room and soda and newspaper stands.
There will also be two outlets on TAYLOR
street, and in the rear of the building. n
large elevator, to facilitate the delivery of
the machinery and other stage appurte-
nances, in the event of fire. In brief, the
general appointments of the house will be
thoroughly modern and luxurious, and the
building, both in its exterior display and
interior arrangement, will not only reflect
credit upon our good old city, but will sue
cessfully vie with any of its character South
of the historically celebrated Mason and
Dixon's line.
To the we'll known enterprise and public
spirit of !. H. B. Plant, the President of
the Southern Express Company, are we in
debted for this contemplated addition to
the many existing attractions of Columbia,
and we are glad to know that the execution
OF the work, which we have so hastily no.
ticed, will be under the general superin-
tendence of our whole-sonled and popular
friend, Jack Courteney, in whose hands it
cannot fail of being success.
1t is alone by the inception and perfection
of such schemes for practical reconstruction
that we can hope for the revival of pros
perlty In our beautiful city, which shall be
permanent in its character, and .he privi-
lege of recording them brings unaffected joy
to our hearts.