The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-07-18
THE CONTRACT IS LET
John D. MacKey VIII Rebuild the
Masonic Opera House.

The Opera House Committee, which
has been at work for several days up
ON the details of tae plans for the re
modelling OF the Masonic, have com
pleted their work and the contract fol-
the changes and improvements, aggre
eating several thousand 1ollars, ha:
been awarded to John d. Mickey. A
large force of men will be put ON the
building Immediately and the work Ii
to be completed about September first
Yaryan Heating Installed.
The house is to be made over in
several respects an win be one Of
the most complete and neatest houses
of its size to be found anywhere in
Iowa. In the first place the heating
system is to be changed from steam
to hot water and the "city heat will
be used. There will be no more cold
houses and suffering audiences here
after. The hot water heat is also tC
be used in heating the Masonic apart
ments above the opera house, but the
opera house and the asylum connec
lions will be separate.
The Stage Room.
The changes to be made in the south
end of the house will give added stage
room and accommodations. The flies
are to be enlarged and hereafter nc
show that travels will have any diff
Guilty in hanging any piece of scenery
carried. The Oskaloosa house win be
given the STANDARD dimensions. All
of the dressing rooms are to be pro,
vided with layatories and hot and cold
water connections. New sewer con
nections will be made and the sanitary
conditions of the house will be made
perfect.
Conveniences Added.
A ladies' waiting room, dressing
room and toilet will be made on the
fist floor in the room that. is now
used as the managers Office, and a
geltlemanNs lounging room, smoking
room and toilet will be incorporated
in the lobby Of the balcony floor.
These rooms are to be furnished in
a manner that will meet the general
approval of the public.
Other Changes.
The managers Office will hereafter
be placed in the center of the lobby.
1t will be a steel structure and will
be convenient and cosy. The box Of
6na will ha In nonnaotion with tb;C
A new hard wood floor is to be laid in
the foyer or lobby.
The windows on the east side of the
lower story Of the house and on the
stage are to be closed. The balcony
is to be partitioned off from the other
parts of the second floor and these
seats will become among the most de-
sired places in the house. The chairs
in the gallery are to be removed and
continuous seats will be placed IN
stead. All chairs in all other parts
of the house will be repaired or re-
placed. Every seat will be put IN per-
feet condition. The placing of the
continuous seat in the gallery win in.
crease the seating capacity of the
house to some extent.
After the carpenters and builders
have completed their labors, the paint
ers and decorators will be given a
chance and the necessary decorations
following the changes will be made.
Manager Jersey Also.
Manager ]. Frank Jersey now comes
into the story. He goes to st. Louis
next week to make contract for seen
cry ana other changes and improve,
ments which he proposes to make in
depe1dently of the work being done
by the owners of tine house. He will
have a number of new things about
the house by the time for opening in
the fall, and will keep pace with the
other improvements in making his
additions.
The completion of the work will give
a house of entertainment and for
general congregation that will be
equal to any similar place in Iowa,
and it will be one of which every cit
izen may feel proud.
The house has been leased to Mr.
Jersey for term of years, containing
his former lease, which expires this
season. The improvements that are
being made by the Masons are con-
dition of the contract and lease.