Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-02-24
THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURE
OPENED YESTERDAY.
Freeland Now Has Place of Amuse-
ment That Is Credit to the Town.
Convention Held There Yesterday and
an Entertainment Last Evening.

being built by st. AIMS Young Mems C.
L. A. b. Corps, and which was infor-
mally opened to the public yesterday, is
now almost complete. Only Il few more
weeks work will be required to put it in
finished condition, and when this is ac-
complished it will be no eXaggeration to
say that Freeand will be in possession
of thoroughly up-to-date amusement
place. and one that will fully meet the
requirements of the town for many years.
The building is the third largest in town
and is advantageously located at Luzerne
and Ridge streets, one block above the
railroad station and one block away
from the principal business thorough
fare. Its solid dimensions and exterior
compactness commands the attention of
all passers-by.
The ground upon which the building
stands was secured a few years ago by
bSt. AIMS Pioneer Corps This society
took the first move for the erection OF
the building, and selected w. +. Wise,
of Tyrone, Pa, an experienced archi-
tect to draw the plans. After this much
was done the matter laid dormant for
some time, until the Pioneer Corps was
consolidated with the Young Mems T. A.
B. Society. The latter organization,
being financially stronger than the first
mentioned, accepted the plans of the
building with few alterations, and
backed by the combined strength of the
two societies, the structure was begun.
Competition was lively among contrac-
tors for the work of construction, but
Knelly & Frederick, of Hazleton, were
awarded the job. This firm began opera
tions in the early part of October, 1895
Patrick Meehan, of Frecland, construct
ed the foundation, and the remainder of
the work was done by the contractors.
The building has a frontage of fifty
feet on Ridge street and extends ninety
feet along Luzerne street. 1t is forty
three feet high. The first floor is
devoted entirely to the opera house, and
constitutes the handsomeSt and cOsicst
part of the building. Three large doors
lead from Ridge street to IA capacous
lobby in the front and two entrances
admit from thence to the body of the
I'm front of the centre door, and access is
gained to the balcony by large stairways
on either side.
The floor of the house is inclined, and
will seat 3G4 persons. 1t is fitted
up with comfortable chairs of modern
design, and nothing interferes with the
view of the stage. The sides and ceiling
are frescoed in brilliant designs and
bright coors, which harmoniZe well
with the varnish of the chairs and wood
work, giving the interior rich appear
ance There are numerous exits on
both sides, to be used in case of fire or
'other trouble, and an audience can
yacatc the building in few moments.
The balcony, like the lower floor, is
also commodius and admirably arranged.
, IL will have seating capacity of about
$50.
The stage comprises the most salient
feature of the house and is calculated to
meet all requirements The entire rear
of the building, to depth of twenty
three feet, is devoted to this, and is fur
nished with all modern appliances for
handling scenery. The proscenum
is 26 feet wide and % feet high. Under
the stage are several dressing rooms.
The scenery is beautiful and varied.
1t was painted by Carl Berger, of Phila-
delphia, German artist of note. There
are several drop curtains, representing
mountain, garden, landscape and street
scenes, and slides to make parlor, kitch
en-, chamber and other settings, with
wings to match. The main curtain is
executed in light coors and is taken
from scene in Venice in the time of
Louis NV All of the painting is in
dicative of a master hand and will no
doubt meet the approval of play-goers.
The varions scenes were mounted and
strung by Adam Estrichcr. an expert
enced stage carpenter of Tyrone.
The top story of the building is divid-
: ed dfinto two large rooms, one of which
will be fitted up suitably for society
meetings The other will be used eX-
clusively by the Young Mems Corps and
will contain library, pool room and
other features.
When occasion requires the opera
house can be converted into a ballroom,
by placing the portable floor in position.
This will extend from a short distance
inside the auditorium doors to the rear
of the stage, and will give large area
of space for dancing purposes.
The building is lighted throughout
with electricity, the extensive wiring
having been done by G. A. Kiley, of Ha-
zleton 1t is claimed by electricians to
be as fine piece of mechanism in that
line as can be seen outside the large
cities. On the stage there is a slate slab
upon which are mounted all the switches
and cutouts necessary to control the in
candescent lights in the different parts
Of tho hnnsn There are also three of