Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-05-25

The inception OF the Proiect-Some-
thing About COL. Gray. Its De-
siguer. and Herr voegtlin. the
Scenic Artist-One OF the Finest
Theaters on the Continent =
Architectural Details : Splendid
Embellishments Perfection of
Stage Machinery Los Angeles
Goes to the Front in Her Sump-
tuous Amusement Appoint
ments.
February year ago Col. A. NJ. Gray
came down to Southern California to
build the San Bernardino theater. In
passing through Los Angeles he was
struck with the poverty of our theatri-
cal oonveniences and thought that here,
OF all places outside Of San Francisco,
should be erected handsome building
devoted to the dramatic art. !. uring his
necessarily frequent visits to our city,
while experimenting his San Bsrnardino
ediiioe, this experienced caterer to the en-
tertainment Of the public was importuned
to engage in the work Of supplying Los
Angeles with this prime amusement de-
sideratum. The project at first took the
shape of stock company. That falling
through, the MsssrJ. Moore Maxwell
next entertained the idea. but circum-
stances prevented their carrying 1t out.
However, they introduced Col. Gray to
o. w. Childs, one Of our leading and
wealthiest residents, who at once decid-
ed to dedicate a portion of his large
means to providing bis fellow citizens
with an opera house which would be
worthy Of the pronounced culture which
is one Of their most marked characters.
tics, aud worthy also Of the future Of
one Of the most progressive and promis-
ing cities on the American continent.
The public spirit show: by Mr., Childs
N this matter has endeared him to
community which, for years, has longed
for Thespian temple which should
combine the elegance with the con
veniences aud the comforts of the stand
ard theaters Of the world of to-day. Tho
genius Of Col Gray. combined with the
liberality Of Mr.. Childs. has left nothing
to be desired in this line. At an outlay
Of about 500, 900, we shall see inaugu.
rated tomorrow night a theater
which has no superior in splendor
or completeness on the Pacific Coast.
Mr.. AL. Haymaa, the manager Of the
Baldwin Theater in San Francisco, pro-
nounses it brighter. more comfort.
able and better house" than his own
San Francisco temple. 1t embodies all
the more modern features, is in horse
shoe form ia the intsrior-in this respect
resembling the Bush Street and one
other American thsater-and In line OF
sight, width of aislss and chairs, and
facilities Of egress in case Of fire or panic,
it Is surpassed by no other theater on
the American continent. But. for fur
ther details, we commend the reader to
the elaborate description which is ap-
pended. Suffice it to say that Mr..
Childs has been thoroughly responsive
to the demands of the hour and has COW
cred himself with honor.
COL. A. N. GRAY,
The designer of the Childs Opera House,
has built no less than eight we'll known
places Of amusement on this Coast,
amongst the rest the Bush Street and
Standard theaters Of San Francisco. both
OF which he owned. He is native Of
Vermont, but has spent thirty five years
in California, coming here mere boy.
He commenced his. career as carpenter
and builder and has been well known
contractor in San Francisco and Stock
ton aince 1858. While not technically
an architect, experience has made him
one in the best sense Of the word, and
|. he has done all his own designing. and
with q brilliant snceess which is attested
by the many graceful edifices which owe
their construction to his skill and energy.
On completing the Childs Opera House
he goes. we understand. to build one on
smaller scale at Woodland. The good
will Of Angslenos will 60 most heartily
with him. The first stroke of work was
begun on the Childs Opera House on the
18th Of September. 1888. little over
eight months having been consumed in
the task. He was ably assisted by Mr..
A. F. Mackey, who, IS builder, superin-
tended the mechanical details Of the
ediice.
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Through the persuasions Of Col. Gray
the celebrated theatricm painter Herr
William voegtlin was persuaded to come
on from New York and undertake the
embeIlishment of the new theater.
This distinguished artist was born in
Basle, Switzerland, and his handiwork
ornaments many Of the best known
places of amusement in the United
States. Among the more conspicuous
work done by him ON this Coast we may
enumerats the drop curtains Of the
Grand Opera House and the California
Theatre, in San Francisco. There is
scarcely temple consecrated to Thespis
from New York to Chicago which does
not boast Of some priced decoration of
which Mr.. voegtlin was the creator.
He has thrown himself into the work Of
smbellishing the Childs Opera House
with unusual interest, and has applied
himself to the minutest details Of his
labors with the ardor Of . youth. Or
dinariIy he does not condescend to on.
gags himself with the rousher labors Of
frescoing and scene-painting, but he has
paid Los Angeles the compliment Of
working for twelve days in succession on
the beautiful fresco Of our new opera
house. MIR. voegtlin has conceived q
great admiration for Los Angeles, which
our people reciprocate by very hearty
appreciation Of his inimitable artistic de-
signs.
ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS,
The main entrance to the theatre CO.
cupies the centre Of two-story building
which fronts ~ feet on South Main
street. 1t is eighteen feet wide in the
clear, and stands out fifteen inches from
the rest Of the building. The style is
Gothic. in red brick with black tuck
pointing. and consists Of q double Gothic
arch, supported by two composite phi
lars at the base Of each. The corridor
extends back So feet, where second
arch, similar to that at the front, gives
entrance to the vestibule or court Of the