The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-06-22
The New Opera House.

structures in the city 1t will have a front.
age, on La Sale street, of 60 it,, by l52 on
Jefferson. The western portion of the build
ing, for depth of 60 it., will be four stories
high; the rear part, which will constitute the
Opera House, will be two stories. The whole
will be built of Ottawa brick with stone belt.
ing courses, and tour inch plasters at the
corners and at each twenty feet of the main
front on La Sale street, these pilasters having
caps at each story. The cornice will be of
massive design in galvanized iron, and the
roof will be Of mansard pattern. A lofty eel
lar will undcrlic the whole building.
Facing on La Sale street will be three
stores, the north one 50x2O and the other two
4lXao. The windows and doors of the stores
will be elegant in design with silver plated
sash bars.
The entrance hall 20 the Opera Hall and
upper portions of the building will be on JEFF
ferson street. The passage for the first 20 #.
will be 10 it, vide and terminate in a vestibule
10 It. wide. In the northwest corner Of the
vestibule will be the ticket Office, and from
the hail and vestibue three door ways will
lead to the theatre and three to the stores on
the west. The staircase will be wide and gently
ascending, from which three, other door ways
will lead to the gallery OF the Opera House.
The Opera Hall proper is designed to be So
it. high, 60 wide and 90 deep, of the latter, 80
1T. will be occupied by the stage. The orches-
ira will be somewhat below the level OF the
auditorium, and the latter will gradual as
cend from 1t. The seating capacity will be
about 1900 and the auditorium will be divid.
ed into parquette, family circle and gallery, a
handsome railing dividing the two former.
The seats will be arranged in circular form,
so that an uninterrupted view will be obtained
from any part of the house.
The stage will be ample, having four dress
ing rooms, with water closets, fly gallery and
scene painting stage. Three private entrances
will lead to the stage, thus affordlng ample
means OF exit from all parts OF the house in case
OF fire or other alarm. Above the stage will
be placed ample water tanks to which hose
can be attached and led to any part of the
house.
1t is intended to fit the Opera Hall through
out with all the modern improvements, and,
when completed, it will be one of the neatest.
cosiest theatres in the country.
On the second floor room, will be afforded
Tor SIX offices, suitable for professional men
and If various dimensions. The two upper
stories Will be occupied by the Masonic Hall
and its numerous convenient ante-rooms and
banquettng hall. The Lodge room, two
stories high, will be G0x4O and be situated
over the two north stores, other rooms occu-
plying the space over the south store
The plans for the building Were prepared
by Messrs Garter, Drake & Wright. OF Chica-
60, and the contract for the whole structure
has been let to Colwcll Clark Il Co., OF Otta
Wa. The contract price is near $4,000 which
with the scenery, furniture and heating APP.
paratus will make tie building cost near $i9,-
600. By the terms OF The contract the Opera
House portion is to be completed by the time
of the State Far, and the balance by Dec 1st,
next. The contractors will have large force
of brick-ayers in the course OF a few days
from Chicago, and it's significant indication
of the undoubtcd success Of the undertaking
that McNicker and other distinguished theat.
rical managers have already made application
for its use at the opening.