The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-01-10
GAS FOOTLIGHTS TURNED OUT
LEAVING STAGE IN DARKNESS
historical Pageant Of Gibbons Opera House. Once Keokuks
Leading Place of Amusement

| The Athaneum on Second street
was destroyed by fire May 5. 1878,
but 1t had deteriorated into variety
theatre with the opening of Gibbons
opera house. 1t was two story
structure on the east side of South
Second street on the Johnson street
side of the alley. 1t is described as
being forty feet wide and well
equipped in it's day The theatre
was on the second floor with stores
Occupying the first floor and a livery
stable in the basement After its de-
suction by fire, Gibbons opera house
had no competition.
/ The Keokuk opera house at Sixth
and Blondeau, now known as the
Grand, was opened March Is, 1881,
and as Gibbons had eclipsed the
Athaneum, the Keokuk cast Its
shadow over Gibbons and became the
theatre pf the city.
But the large dance floor remained
/ as attractive as ever and some shows
We're still given there.
Shifting Scenes.
The scene shifts.
! First scene-JohnSon street be-
tween Second and Third, east side of
( street-the Veranda building. This
was the location of the postoftice
years ago. Then the office was re-
moved to South Second across the
/ alley from the Athaneum. Then 1t
moved a couple or doors toward Main
street into the Sample building. Here
Colonel j. G. Parrot was postmaster.
Business was moving up Main
street and the postoftice removed
into the corner room Of Gibbons
building.
I Many of the present generation re-
call the old postoffice on the corner
of Sixth and Main, with the news
stand in the lobby, a barber shop in
the basement beneath and a billiard
hall on the second floor. There was
no parcel post then, no war savings
stamps on sale. NO motorcycle car
iers, but the mail was just as eager
| ly awaited and the lobby was crowd
ed on Sunday mornings.
| Patrick Gibbons became postmas-
ter in 1886, appointed for a four year
term while the Office was in his build
ing and Is remembered as one OF the
best officials Keokuk ever had. He
died during his term and his widow
completed the term to 1890.
Inc pItScul pOSlOiiCc was GULF
menced March 16, 1887, and when
completed, the Office was moved from
! the Gibbons building. Richard Root
building.
of to the War;
The third floor Of the Gibbons
building was for years used as an
Iarmory for the Keokuk Rifles, which
was mustered in as Co. A, of the
Iowa national guard. 1t was from
here that the company left for the
Spanish-American war in 1898.
The large room has been the scene
OF some OF Keokuks most brilliant
parties and banquets. 1t had held
many conventions and exhibits and
been the scene of many sporting
Ievents. baseball, basketball. roller
skating, a bicycle show. etc. The
old timers will recall many a plea
SAINT evening spent within Its walls
land thousands possibly millions
have climbed those two flights of
broad stairs and whiled away the
hours at dances, shows, parties, etc.
Recently the Modern WToodmen
used it as a lodge room and sublet
lit for dances. The present owners
Intend to devote it to the same pur !
poses and its walls will ring with |
the festive jazz as merry makers trip !
the light fantastic toe.
But it's day as a theatre has long !
passed. 1t isn't proper any more TO
speak of it as such. 1t is now hall |
The Corner Saloon.
Perfectly proper these days to !
speak of the saloon with respect and
admiration, for the saloon Is dead I
and we speak of the dead with words /
OF praise. .-
The alley end Of the building |
usually harbored a saloon and it !
was generally considered the leading ,
thirst parlor of the city. Many a |
dry, parched mouth waters when this !
old saloon is recalled, for it was here |
that the theatre goers who left be-
tween the acts ito see man." al
ways found that man in this saloon.
Them were the good old days"
The Main street stores have been !,
occupied by various business enter I
prises. Mr. Gibbons conducted a |
stove store there tor years and other
firms rented the two stores. The
popular LaSalle theatre was located |
there. The State Central Savings
bank has occupied the two rooms now
for many years. NJ
So ring down the curtain on this
historical pageant Exit Gibbons
opera house, enter knights Of Column
bus building. Ill.,.