The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-11-30
BENEVOLENT PROTECT
I'VE ORDER OF ELKS
Purchase the Colonial Theatre
and VIII Establish
Home.
WILL MAKE IDEAL QUARTERS
One of the Most Magnificent Lodge
Properties In the State VIII Be
Located In WatertOwn.

Located I'm Watert0wn.
The Leader can today present to it's
readers what, without question, is the
most important real estate deal con-
summated in Watertown for some
time and which concluded this morning
when Marsh Davenport, of Wilkes
Barre, Pa, transferred his holdings
in the Colonial theatre, North First
street, opposite the city hall, to Lodge
No 666, Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks
The mere act of the transfer of real
estate from Mr. Davenport to the local
lodge of Elks is not, within itself alone,
a deal of great magnitude, for the
price paid for the property is only
$4,000, and anyone at all familiar with
local real estate values knows that
figure to be low Mr.. Davenport, how
ever, is member of the No. 666,
and imbued with the spirit OF doing
something magnanimous for the lodge
I'll Ills CuOICG dIiu DIT tile GAl1lC oo
something of lasting benefit for the
city he still calls home" named
price for the property which he would
not dreamed of accepting from any
other source.
The matter of greatest Importance
to the people of Watertown in the deal
is the fact that the Elks intend to
transform the building into a home,
and if only portion of the dreams
and expectations of the officers in
charge should be realized, when the
work of refitting and furnishing the
new Elks' home is completed there
will not be more convenient nor
handsome lodge property in Wiscon-
sin
The officers in charge of the pur-
chase and remodeling of the building
inform the Leader that no less than
$4,000 will be expended in this feat
ure of the plan, and it is quite pos
sible that $4,000 will be invested.
Basement Plans.
According to those interviewed the
basement will be converted into quar-
ters for a kitchen and dining room
The kitchen will be equipped with
every convenience that modern sci
ence can suggest for the efficient work
of a chef The dining room adjoin-
ing will be planned with an eye single
to convenience and beauty, the finish
Of of ial which xuhi1n h
stantial, will also partake of the artis-
tic to the point of leaving a most
pleasant and lasting impression, and at
the same time not infringe on the ex-
travagant.
Shower baths which will be the last
word in that convenience, will also be
included in the basement plan.
In the basement will also be in
stalled bowling alleys, so that those
who seek this form of amusement will
be provided with alleys and accesso-
ries not to be excelled anywhere.
The First Floor.
On the first floor will be installed
the offices, ladies reception room,
gents reception and lounging room,
and the billiard parlor.
The ladies' and gents reception
rooms will be furnished with view
to making them as home-like as it is
possible to make such parlors, and
no detail will be omitted to attain this
happy conclusion.
The billiard room will be equipped
with billiard and pool tables, and it is
not unlikely that in the future some
of the worlds greatest cue artists will
give exhibitions of their skill on these
tables, all of which is only small
part of the general scheme of enter
tainment the home will make a pos
sibiity.
Auditorium on Third Floor.
The feature of the third floor vii be
the auditorium. Here will be INSTALL
ed stage for the presentation of vari-
Gus entertainments, and an occasional
professional theatrical performance by
some high-grade company is more
than likely, although many presenta-
tions will no doubt be made by talent
drawn from the Elks' ranks, many of
whom are endowed with more than
ordinary histronic ability.
This floor will also contain ladies
and gents parlors and waiting room,
and it goes without the saying that
they will be fitted out with the same
thought to detail and convenience
with which the other parts Of the home
will be furnished.
The contractor will have his work
completed May 1, and at that time the
dedicatory ceremonies will be held,
which will no doubt partake of a state
gathering and celebration. and at
which some of the most prominent
figures in national and state Elkdom
will participate.
One of the uses to which the home
will be put is to let the kitchen, din
ing room and parlors to the members
for the entertainment of private social
gatherings, and this feature alone will
appeal to not a few when the service
and surroundings are considered.
While the B. P. O. E. as a lodge
body has been most enthusiastically
behind the idea of acquiring suit
able home, the work of raising the