Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-01
READY FOR OPENING.
THE NEW CRAWF0RD-GRAND IN
FULL DRESS.
A Description of the Most Magniti.
cent Opera House in Kansas.

The magnificent Crawford Daisy opera
| house on South Topeka is now practically
completed and will tonight be for the first
time thrown open to the public. Work
| has during the whole Of the winter been
pushed with great energy and zeal and in
| the past two weeks work has been kept up
both night and day in order to have it fully
ready for the opening this evening. Last
night when the scaffolding was torn away
and The interior disclosed in its beauty and
completeness it,was certainly gem, an
object of worthy congratulation for the
projectors and of pride for the city.
This house was projected almost two
years bv Mr. Crawford and Mr..
Sells, of Topeka. 1t was not,
however, begun until about d
year ago, and as it now stands has for its
owners Mr.. l.. NJ Crawford, of Topeka,
and Messrs. o. G. Daisy and p. V. Healy,
of Wichita
The building is constructed from designs
drawn by Mr.. George A. Masters, an ey-
perienced architect of Chicago, ana is
model of completeness and compactness
1t has 3 front of 81 feet on South Topeka
avenue built of pressed brick with sand
stone trimming the design being both
unique and neat. On Williams it has a
north front of 145 feet, likewise built of
pressed brick and trimmed with sandstone
in keeping with the Topeka avenue front
The height is 50 feet and is divided into
four stories. Mr.. Clark Fierce has through
out superintendent the construction
and is justly proud of the beau
fr1 ,hyta oil 81
which has risen from the ground as
fine an example OF builders skill
and ability as was ever constructed in the
west.
Entering the house through the main
entrance on Topeka avenue-an entrance
eighteen feet wide and leading up to the
auditorium by means of a stairway with
two richly and artistically laid tile floor
landing-the interior is reached. At the
top of the stairway and upon the right is
the managers Office with box office COM
bined. Opposite to this and on the same
landing are the reception rooms for the
club rooms on the fourth floor. On the
third floor and over these rooms is large
corridor with three parlors which can be
thrown into one, making room
4lx60. Still above these and on the
fourth floor is a large dancing hall.
4lX60, room neatly and elegantly fitted
up, lighted and ventilated.
But to return again to the main entrance
of the auditorium Going through this
arched passage way the first or parquett
floor is reached. Here is circular corri-
dor, 12x60. on level with the second floor,
and separated from the auditorium proper
nv, all If
Turkish curtains. On either side is a |
stairway leading to the balcony above; and |
also on each end fire escape.
The parquett, on a gentle descent to the !
stage, is furnished with 542 opera chairs, |
all with upholstered seats and backs; and |
nearer still to the stage is the orchestra |
stand.
Above this is the balcony with a seating +
of over four hundred; the chairs |
all having plush backs and perforated |
seats
Still above is the gallery, with seating
of over six hundred Instead of |
chairs, as in the other parts OF the house.
here are used benches. 1t is, however, an
place for seeing the performance,
and veritable heaven for the gods
From the top seat in the gallery to the |
stage is one hundred and seven feet; vet
there is not seat in it from which the
whole stage cannot be seen, and so perfect !
are the acoustic properties that every
word uttered by the performers can be dis
tinctly heard. Not only is this true of the
gallery, but also of all the other parts of
the house.
There are in all six boxes. Four of
these are proscenium and two balcony.
all will be elegantly and richly furnished
with curtains, the finest carpets, and the
best upholstered furniture.
The proscenium arch was Yesterday re-
;eivng its finishing touch from the hands
Of the artists and freScoers; and it as well
as the ceiling, is rich and artistically deco
rated. The building is thoroughly heated
BY steam by means Of two large forty-four
pipe boilers. 1t will at first be lighted by
gas, but arrangements are made for the
future lighting by means of incandescent
lights.
Beneath the stage are eight large dress
ng rooms with two large chorus rooms, a
baggage room and two toilet rooms. The
dressing rooms, in particular those for the
aides, are well furnished with
orussells carpet and upholstered furniture
The stage is part of the house which
has been constructed with special care and
S in every respect complete and well az
.anged. The scenic work aS we'll as the
stage carpentry was contracted for by l..
4. Graham, a rising young artist of
ability. His excellent representative and
he man who in fact did all the stage car
,entry was G. l.. King, one of the best in
lis line in the country. The front curtain
5 a tropical sea side view with border
irapery. The depth of the stage is thirty
line feet, the height to the rigging
oft is sixty feet; and the width
rom the fly galleries is 43 feet. The width
If the scene is 1sN24; or each wing being
eet it makes the whole width So feet.
There are four sets of grooves and COM
,lete outfit for the rigging loft. There are
n all fourteen sets of scenery: and these
re such that they can be 50 used as TO he
quail TO double that number. Then, there /;
re three large drops above which add So
much to the stage effects: the cut wood
he horizon, the rocky pass. The latest
Improvement OF gas fixtures are used 50
hat there can be given with readiness the
ifferent effects of day and night There
re along the sides OF the stage arrange
lents for using the incsudescent lights
nd thus dispensing with the old fashion '
pot light. This will not, however, he
one at the present.
Besides the opera house n-oper there
re in the building store ROOF which will (
e opened up as business places. The two \
oonis having fronts on Topeka Will make !
specially desirable store rooms. Beneath {
be building ara also rY,onns for the STORING I
f baggage. paper. advertising material |