Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-31
absolutely FIREPRooF."
Was Verdict on Iroquois Theater When
Opened In November.

The Irouuois Theater was the newest
house of amusement in Chicago and one of
the finest homes OF the drama IN the coun-
try. 1t was opened to the public on Mon
day night, November % last, with the spec
tacle. "Buebeard."
The theater had frontage of 30 feet on
Randolph street and 125 feet on Dearborn
street. 1t had a seating capacity OF LIZA.
The building was put up in less than
seven months-record-break timely the
George A. Fuller Construction Company. 1t
was planned and erected under the supervi-
sion of Benjamin H. Marshall. who also de-
signed the Nixon Theater, in Pittsburg, ana
the Illinois Theater. in Chicago.
The site cost $500 GEO. and like sum was
spent upon the building and its decorations
Notwithstanding the rapidly Of construc-
ton, the statement was repeatedly mace
publicly by all concerned in the enterprise
that the building was absolutely hreproof
This statement was reiterated ana empha-
sized in speeches from the stage on the
opening night.
The exterior of the theater was massive
and imposing The ornate cornices were
supported by huge pillars. Surmounting
the cornices We're figures OF heroic Size
typifying comedy and tragedy
The entrance and foyer We're elegant.
There were beautiful marble finishings on
walls, floors and ceiling. The light from
above came through a decorative skylight.
Twelve Doors From Lobby.
Twelve doors opened from the lobby
leading out into Randolph street. The
lobby itself was twenty-five feet in depth.
and finished in Vermont marble and mo-
sale.
The foyer was the distinctive feature of
the Iroquois 1t was sixty feet wide, sew
enty feet long and f1fty-fve feet high,
I,nd Ia
contained many fine pieces of statuary. In
the center stood the bronze figure OF an !ro-
quois brave. The foyer was patterned AFTER
that Of the Opera Comique In Paris.
Two grand statrways of iron and marble
led to the second story. There were SIX
boxes, three on either side of the parquet.
The proscenium arch represented huge
she'll The staircases were supported Wy
ten columns of Pavanazza marble.
The upper tiers of the building haa sep
arate exits at the lower part or each uer.
SO designed. it was announced as 10 empty
the house in record time.
Another distinctive feature OF the Iro-
ouois vas the absence of supporting PHI
lars in the auditorium. Thus there was
no obstruction of the view from any seaI
The balcony and dress circle We're carried
,Ipon cantileyers and were so far ABOVE
the main floor that there was no opscura-
ton of the proscenium arch from me ,ear
seats on the main floor. The auditorium
was very roomy. being ninety feet w'oe
and seventy-one feet deep. -,
The decnr..t..vus of the auditorium
which were notable for their artistio
conception and effect, were of the
modern French school The prevailing COL
ors were old ivory and gold and the red
color of the American beauty rose There
were 1900 electric lights in the theater.
Seats Were Extra Roomy.
The seating arrangements were such AS
to provide extra roomy accommodations
for the patrons of the theater. There was
q space of two inches between every ad-
Joining seat IN the rows.
The aisles and passageways were "ioer
than usual In places OF amusement.
The drop curtain was OF SILK plush, and
showed a portrait of Red Jacket. one Of the
csIehrated Iroouois chiefta!ns. Two OF the
ether curtains had on them scenes in the
Mohawk valley in tho pre-revolutionary
days The curtains were painted by st.
John Lewis
The Iroquois Theater was owned by VIII
I Davis and Harry J. Powers Of Chicago.
Nixon & Zimmerman of Philadelphia and
Klaw Erlanger of New York.
The building w6s especially designed Tor
spectacular productions requiring unusual
room for their presentation. Thsre were
three ticket Offices in the voetfbuse. ana
separate stairway leading to the private
ofilces on the second door. Above the lat
ter there was music room. hanAe0 oy~
other private Offices for visiting managers.
On an extension OF the stage. on q site
outside Of that OF the thsater proper. were