Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-01-03
The Chicago Auditorium.

During the years that the building
has been in process of construction,
the outside world has had but little
idea of its magnitude. 1t is not ex-
aggerating to state that what the
Pantheon was to Greece the Auditor
ium at Chicago is to our great repub-
lie.
The stage is 20 feet deep and lis in
width, its appliances of the highest
standard of perfection, while the scene
ry is the most complete and elaborate
that could be obtained.
By hydraulic machinery sections OF
the stage can be raised or lowered,
thus the spot where in one scene the
firm ground bears the weight of a
marching army, in the next might
give place to a yawning abyss.
In all the parts there is perfect ac
cordance; the architectural grace be-
ing set off by the adornments, but the
latter always subordinate. In no in
stance does any particular of the dec
Grafton foil single architectural line.
The building has frontage on three
streets, total of 709 feet-1S7
eastern, 361 southern and 161 western.
Its main portion is ten stories high,
rising LA feet above the street level,
while the tower reaches 24O feet. The
exterior walls are of Minnesota granite
and Bedford stone.
There is an immense dining-room
in the corner of the tenth room. It's
dimensions are 4Sx150 feet, the entire
floor space being covered with marble
mosaic. The walls and ceilings are
finished in old ivory and gold, the
soft colors beautifully contrasting
with the dark mahogany pillars AID
panels. Its windows command a view
limited only by the horizon to the ever
changing surface of the lake. On a
clear afternoon faint outlines of Mich
igan City, 40 miles southeast, can be
discerned.
The entire basement is set apart for
the engines and the mechanical ap-
purtances.
Scattered throughout the building
are over 10000 incandescent electric
lights. In the auditorium their ar
rangement is such that they form a
part of the decoration, while their
mellow light accentuates the whole
One of the fundamental principles of
the decorative scheme lies in the use
of but one color III the room. Differ
ent colors are used in the various
rooms, and with each gold is associa-
ted, in some places broad bands in
conjunction with wide stripes of color,
again, delicate interlacings in color
for ground work. For instance, one OF
the hotel lobbies in peacock blue and
gold, the cafe in coffee color and gold.
The little recital hall, seating 500
people, is q symphony in white and
gold.
The vestibule opens into spacious
chamber lined with marble, from
which are four passageways leading to
the parquette and three wide marble
staircases ascending to the foyer. Just
off from the foyer is the elegantly ap-
pointed ladies' retiring room and next
to it is the gentlemen's smoking room.
Nothing is cramped; although but
4,O51 permanent seats are provided, in
the unoccupied space there is ample
room for fully 5000 more. Above the
balcony there are two galleries, and by
means of sections of hinged ceiling,
which can be lowered to the front rail,
either or both may be entirely shut
out when the space is not required.
There are 20 boxes on each side of
the hall, separated by ornamental
ratings. and artistically draped with
curtains Of light texture, correspond
ing in color to the prevailing tone of
the general decoration. The great
organ is at the right of the stage, but
50 placed as to be entirely concealed
from view.
This great building cost over So ,00O,-