Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-10-03
Built A. II. ISIS.
]. +. shannon, Underwater,
l.. V. Wernwag, Architect.
j. kincaid, Mason.
Keep to the Right.


It is an interesting relic of the old
and main artery of travel between the
east and the west
Cambridge is dry town--hut still
not so dusty" as might be imagined.
At one recent period there were twen-
ty-four saloons. Now there are nene
and yet-well, condolences must not be
violated.
But ! wish. upon reflection. to go
back and say something more about
the Colonial Theatre, a gem in the way
of show houses and one that will bear
careful inspection. The company
having the enterprise at heart was
formed about a year ago. the moving
spirits being Dr. A. Cooper. r. c. Pat
terson, II. o. Barber George Beckett
and Charles ID. Miller. The charter
was secured under the name of the
Standard Improvement Company, and
after some reasonable discussion over
site the property at Wheeling ave-
nue. and Sixth street was purchased
from DIR. Cooper and Mr.. w. T. Mills,
of Columbus, formerly of Cambridge,
was made architect and drew the ac-
cepted plans. In the contract for con-
struction, made with Nichols a. Carr.
II was stipulated that home labor
shouIu be given the preference. Work
was commenced about April 10Th, and
some idea of the size of the building
may be gained from the fact that 1000
loads of eartn and stone Were taken
from the excavation for the cellar and
foundation. whiie NJ. NJ. Formal & Sons.
of Columbus, laid over 10000 600 brick.
When IL Is understood that nearly
forty days were lost by bad weather
and delays In material, and only start
ing it on April 18th. 1t will be readily
appreciated that good time has been
| made over 500 barrels of lime were
used and many ear loads of sand In
plastering the entire building, and
Melrish. OF Columbus, secured con-
tract for that part of the work. The
plumbing was done by the Scott
| Plumbing Company, and the roofing
! by Adkins, Clary Bros the painting
and glazing, and taking the building
! throughout in all It's departments 1t
was practically built by home labor.
| The Consolidated Ice & Electric Com
| pany secured the contract for the cleo
! trie wiring. and Is one of the best Jobs
! in the State. Great care was exercis-
| ed and extra heavy insulated wire was
put in. and everything was done in ac-
! cordanee with the rules of the Board
| of Underwriters The decorations of
| the theatre by the Coulson Decorating
! Company, of GAINESVILLE from designs
drawn by Geo w. Siegfried. done in
stueco relief. is one of the finest jobs
! in the country The chairs were pur-
| chased from the Grand Rapids School
| Furniture Company, and are perfectly
noseless ball bearing mahogany fin
| ish with gold trimmings. and umbrella
racks for the convenience of patrons.
! There are ten dressing rooms in the
| basement with an entrance on either
side of the stage, besides two large and
! commodious star dressing rooms above
! boxes The four boxes are construct
| ed on scientific principles and q good
| view can be had from them so different
| from the ordinary run of boxes. The
| floor OF the auditorium is bowled and
| there is rise OF five feet from or
| chestra rail- to rear, making 1t good
! elevation. The stage is large enough
! to accommodate any road production.
1t is 40 feet deep, ga feet in width and
| 60 feet to rigging loft. The procenium
! arch is 24x32. Scenery was painted by
M. Armbruster & SYn, of Columbus,
| ana is one of the best assortments
! found anywhere. On both sides of the
j stage is two fire plugs with 30 feet OF
/ hose attached. besides different kinds
( of fire extinguishers to be used In case
of fire throughout the entire building.
II will be observed that there is an
unusual amount Of exits from the the
atre. ano the management has taken
every precaution against fire. TO the
rear of the auditorium Is beautiful
i 4 r{er IF
entrance is the ladies parlor and to the
left the gents smoking room. A beau
tiful drinking fountain to the rear Is
greatly appreciated by the patrons.
The theatre consists of two balconies,
which can be reached either to the rear
of the auditorium or from the Sixth
street entrance. The main entrance
from Wheeling avenue is decorated to
harmonic with the balance OF the in
terror decorations. and is over ten feet
wide. The posts do not obstruct the
view of any one, and there Is not bad
seat in the theatre.
Charles ID. Miller was elected man
ager OF the theatre, which has been
christened The Colonial Since early
in the spring he mas been booking at
fractions, and about fifty placed on the
list are contracted for. Nothing but
firs1 class attractions will be played
and the manager has aimed TO give his
patrons a variety second to none in
the State.
There are three store rooms, three
basement rooms and six flve-room
LIS connected with the theatre, with
entrance to the flats on both Wheeling
avenue and Sixth street. They are
thoroughly modern, and situated as
they are, three on the second floor and
three on lhe third floor makes them
the most desirable and best located In
the city.
Taking it all in all, The Colonial
Theatre Building is one in which the
citizens of Cambridge should feel just
~ proud, and judging from the very
favorable comments from all sides. the
company feels that their efforts have
not been in vain, while the city Of
Cambridge is to be congratulated upon
having a place of amusement that
would be a credit to many a larger
town. W. y. ID.
This Month or Never.
Pan-American Exposition closes Oc-