Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-11-25
A BIG SCHEME
To Erect an Immense Amusement
Hall,
The kthenaeum Ground Spoken Of as the
Probable Site-What IS Said OF 1t
Other Building Matters.

For the past few days 1t has been ru-
mored about the city, in q quiet kind Oh
way, that syndicate Of Eastern capitalists
from Baltimore and Washington, had been
in the city, looking about with view 70
greetings large opera house In the city.
The rumor seemed improbable and Tor q
time a REeIsrER scout chased 1t without
getting any nearer its foundation. Finally
il was heard the site of the old Athen@un.
opposite the postofice, would probably be
taken. This was clue and sent the man
Of news to the owners. But first Of All:'
Fifteen years ago, when Market street
above and below the creek was made con-
tinuous only by the small wire bridge,
which hung TREMENDOUSLY over the water
course, property along the street, Just north
of the bridge, was not held at any fabulous
figure. The wire arrangement was not
popular and pedestrians in many cases
preferred the stone bridge, while vehicles
were compelled to do likewise. The street
being not a thoroughfare, property was
only moderately valuable and the entire
upper street was affected. The retali tra9e
had concentrated on Main street and babe
fair to remain there. But when, at
an expense of s5l, 900, the iron bridge
tpapned the creek, great change was an.
ticipated. The sanguine owners OF Market
street property expected it would at once
spring into public favor as the popular
boulevard, and would soon contain the re-
tail trade, leaving the wholesale to Main
street. as result, property on Market
street had boom, and prices scared up
like balloons But the expected change
was not realized to the full. The street
grew popular, and was, as 1t still is, the
favorite street for pedestrians, but MAIN
street chung to its retail trade. few lots
ON Market street sold at fancy prices, and
many of the old tumble down buildings
were replaced by new ones, but the change
was not all that was foadly anticipated.
Among the lots, on Market street on
which il was expected handsome business
blocks would soon appear was that marked
by the ruins of the old Atheneum. 1t was
owned by Messrs. B. NJ. Eoff, Adams Dodson
and w. &. Handlan. Since that destructive
fire, now nearly fifteen years since, the lot
has stood unoccupied, save by the present
frame buildings. 1t has since changed
hands, passing into the ownership OF the
heirs Of John Handlan and OF Henry X.
List. 1t has frontage of lightweight feet,
and q depth of 100 feet, and has always been
regarded as a piece of valuable real estate.
The Hempfeld road caused property to de-
preciate along there, but from that 1t has
rallied somewhat.
At this lot, then, so rumor went, the
eyes of the new purchasers were directed
and 10 its owners went the REGISTER report
or. From what could be obtained, it seems
that several offers have recently been made,
but none of them at figure suitable. The
owners knew nothing of any plan to erect
an opera house, but did not know but that
such scheme might be afoot.
Afterward the reporter met gentleman
who claimed 10 know something of the
matter. but requested that his name be
omitted, as he was entirely uniniereSted.
He said party of gentlemen had been in
the city, this week, looking at property
and TO build an opera house was their in
tention. The Ford brothers, of Washing
ton and Baltimore theatrical fame, were
principally interested. The plan," said
be, lis to put up a very large opera house,
with store rooms beneath it. Such build
ing will cost 500, 900 at least know moth
ing at all of the plan to make it pay, and
have my doubts Of the protitab!eness OF the
project. do not think any location has
been selected as yet, and the party will re-
turn shortly"
This is about all that could be obtained,
but the informant was very positive of the
truth OF what is given. Whether, as an
exclusive place Of amusement another
opera house would pay, is question for
the consideration of the projectors.