The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-03-04
OLD REALTY CURIO.
New York's Tract Which Once Held
Fashions Theatre.
From the New York Times,

From the New York Times.
One of the real estate curiosities in the
down town district, II John street, chang
ed hands Saturday. The location and
shape of this parcel would be enough to
give 1t distinction, but it possesses besides
much historical importance.
In the latter part of the eighteenth CEN
fury 1t was the site of the John Street
theatre, which was closed for the greater
part of the Revolutionary war through
, fear of violence to the performers. and
which, 1t is said, was patronized subse-
quently by Presidents Washington and
Adams.
A vacant space about 10 feet wide, on
the north side. between 10 and 49, is II
John street-but not all of 1t. This pas
sageway extends back about rs feet, and
connects at the rear with an interior tract
about two lots IN area, upon which there
is a dingy old four-story brick building.
This property has been sold by Mrs
Josephine Slosson. Tt has always been
taken for granted that when this parcel
came upon the market 1t would be bought
up by the abutting .owner, either on Full
ton or John street, and would lose Its
identity. Such proves not to be the case,
however. While the brokers would not
disclose the name of the new owner, they
Sdlu ne WIS III ilO way interested IN any
adjoining property, and that he had a plan
for utilizing the interior lot by itself.
The consideration in the deal has not
been made public beyond the statement
that the property has been held at $780,
| 600.
The old brick building on the lot is oc-
| cupied by jewelry makers and repairers.
| AS one stands on the little courtyard
| there is nothing to suggest that Broad
rrrtRh all toll
| Is only about $50 feet away.
The John Street theatre, on this site.
was opened on December I, 1867, under the
| management of Lewis Hallam, Jr. and
| John Henry, the production being the
| "Beaux Strategem." 1t superseded the
| Chapel Street theatre, which stood on
| the south side of Beckham street, near
Nassau The following description of 1t
appears In James Grant Wilson'S Me-
mortal History of New York:
1.-THE building was an unsightly object
principally of wood, painted red. and stood
about 60 feet back from the street, hav-
| ing a covered way of rough wooden ma
| terial from the pavement to the doors
| The stage was of good dimensions, and
| the dressing room and greenroom were
| originally under 1t; but after the revolu-
| ton they were removed to wing, added
| for the purpose at the west side. The
\
rows of boxes and a gallery, and when
| full at the usual prices would contain
$500"
| Seats had to be reserved by patrons
sending their servants at o'clock in the
| afternoon to keep their place. Perform
ances began at o'clock sharp.
| The theatre was closed just before the
| Revolution. During the occupation OF
! New York by Lord Howe and Sir Henry
| Clinton the officers of the British regi-
ments reopened II, with the title of the
| Theatre Royal, and frequently had per-
| formances there for charitable objects.
| On November 81, 1855, the theatre was
again operated under local management
| with full company, and, according to
| McLean's Independent Journal. had been
| at a vast expense reprinted. beautifed
| and illuminated in a style to vie with
| European splendor."
/, From that time it appears to have been
| kept open without interruption until jan
uary 10, 1898, the last production being
! that of 1.-THE Comet" Soon afterward II
! was transformed into a carriage factory