National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-04
OUR NEW THEATER.
THE WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY's
OPERA HOUSE AND ARMORY.
Arrangements for the Comfort and Conve-
nlenco OF Members of the Corps-A Masnifl-
cent and Luxurious Modern Thcater-A
Monument Of the Infantry's Energy.

On the 10th day Of September, 1886, tho
organization 80 we'll known to the citi-
zons of the national capital as tho Wash
ington Light Infantry. made its first
public parade under command of Capt.
John b. Blake The past history Of the
organization contains much that its NOM
bers of to-day may woll feel proud Of It
was tho first body Of volunteer militia to
be mustered into the service Of the
United States at tho outbreak Of tho late
civil war, and since its ranks have boon
increased to battalion its muster rolls
have borne the names Of the flower Of the
youth of the city, and its officers have
been drawn from the most energetic and
entorprising business men Of Washington.
Udder the command Of Lieut.. Col. VIM.
q. Moore tho Washington Light Infantry
corps has come to be recognized as one of
the crack military organizations Of the
country. The last successful enterprise
of the corps is the building Of the mag
nifcent opera house and armory located
on the northwest corner of Fifteenth and
lie streets, which is now nearly COM
pleted. Tho initial step toward tho cree
tion of this magnificent structure was q
grand fair and bazaar, which was opened
In tho Rink building on New York
avenue, on April 10, 1855, and continued
for three weeks.
This was the most successful enterprise
Nof the kind ever inauguratod in Washing
ton, and received such hearty patronage
and support from our citizens that ut its
close IL was found that tho not proceeds
amounted to something over $50, 900. After
some months spent in searching for a
suitable site, the present location was
fixed upon. and purchased for the sum OF
$4,000.
building committee, composed OF
Capt. j. I. Dyer, chairman; Col. William
q. Moore, Thomas Somerville,W w. S. Roose,
Capt. John s. Miller, George Il. Timms,
Lieut. Il. II. Newmeyer. and Thomas j..
fisher. was selected, and Col. William G..
Moore, Capt. j. T. Dyor George +. Timms,
Capt. John $. Miller Thomas Somerville,
and Lieut.. Il. Ii. Noumeyer were elected
as board of trustees. The design and
plans submitted by Messrs. Gray & Page,
architects, were accepted, and the con-
tract for the work awarded to a leading
builder and contractor, Mr.. ID. j. Macarty,
of this city.
The incorporators are William G..
Moore, president; Thomas Somerville,
vice president; Sergt. @. Il. Hale, secre-
tary Capt. John S. Miller, Capt. j. II.
Dyer, George +. Timms, Lieut.. j. G..
Cowie, and Lieut.. E. III. Neumeyer. The
deed of trust to secure the indebtedness
of the corps is given to w. S. Roosei
Thomas J. Fisher, A. A. Wilson, +. X,
Hume, and j. &. Ergood, and George +.
Appleby and w. L. Edmonston are the
trustees named in the deed The corps
authorized the issue of bonds bearing q
per cent. interest to tho amount of $780,
600 as q first mortgage upon the proposed
structure and on April last ground was
broken. On May % tho corner stone was
laid with imposing Masonic ceremonies
in the presence of tho corps aud vast
concourse Of its friends. To-day the
building is rapidly approaching compile
tion, and there is no doubt whatever of IL
being ready by Nov. 10, the date fixed for
the opening performance. The structure
fronts west upon q large government res
ervation, which in u fow years moro will
DO a beautiful park. Tho basement story
will be devoted exclusively to the armory
The main hall or drill room is 113 fec,
long by 50 feet wide with ceiling Is feet
high, giving floor space of little over
10000 square feet. The floor of the thea
ter overhead rests on massive iron beams
which in the drill room are supported in
the center by iron columns 18 feet 10 inches
apart. There is a clear width of nearly
A feet between this row of columns and
the walls of the drill room on each side
which affords ample space for vancouver.
executed in company front. At the end
of the drill room and extending nearly
the entire length of the east wall is thu
, locker room, measuring 70 feet long by q
\ feet inches wide. The walls of thi,
room will be paneled in with double
tier of lockers built of hard wood ant
numbered for use of the privates and non
mi cir an 1 nIn nf hn apT
one wall will BIO taken up by the gunracb
for thestorage of rifles and accouterments
When tho armory is occupied for a bal
or other social gathering the main drill
room will DO used for dancing, and tn,
locker room will be utilized as the supper
room, there being kitchen 81 by 16 fee
at its south end, equipped with ranges
sinks. and all the paraphernalia necessary
for the preparation Of IN elaborate sup
per. Directly in front of the drill room
or main hall arc four rooms which viii
be occupied by subaltern officers, or col
be utilized as reception or cloak rooms
Two of those rooms measure 20.6 by 26.6
the remaining two, 20.6 by II, and art
connected with small nnterooms contain
ing closets, stationary washstands, &c
The main entrance to the armory will b.
on Fifteenth street, at the north
west corner of the building, wher,
. descent of eighteen steps twill brin
the visitor from the pavement to the leve
of the armory floor. Back of the stat
case leading to the floors above Is oil
irregular shaped room for company use
fitted with closets, washstands. and batl
tubs. Above this will be five rooms Of tn
same shape, which will DO handsomel,
fitted up for the use of the commanding
officer and staff. The room on the thir,
door will be set apart as q club room TO
the honorary members of the corps Thi
irregular projection contains in all eigh
rooms, five OF them measuring 10 by Il
feet and three measuring 10 by SO feet
and all of them being attached to tn
armory proper. AT tho southeast corne
OF the building, under tho side walk, /
tho boiler vault, where are already place.
in position the two huge boilers to suppl,
steam for heating the entire building
About midway the south wall on Il stree
is wide doorway, which will be used b,
the battalion when entering or leavin
the armory under arms. A proper ide
of the size of the armory may DO ha
when 1t is known that 1t will measure 16
feet 81 inches in length by 1l5 feet II
width, beside including all the rooms Of
the upper floors of tho irregular shape
addition to the main building, which is
perfect rectangle.
The main entrance to the opera house |
on Fifteenth street, and is reached b.
stone steps of easy rise, with hand rail
of polished brass. The distance from tn
pavement to tho top of the door sill !
just four feet. Entrance to tho yestibul
is had by three doors divided by doubl
columns, each door six feet wide. TIL
vestibule Is 81 feet inches wide and s
feet long The floor is oncaustic tilinl
laid upon brick arches resting on iro
beams, making the whole structur
thoroughly iireproof. From tho vostibul
70 the lobby of the orchestra floor tn
scent is by stairway vt either end