Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-02
Uncle Sam as Theater Buyer

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Uncle Sam is now the owner of two
theaters In this city. One of them he
has possessed for a long time, fully
twenty years. and as owner he has
leased 1t to a manager and 1t has been
operated for the public's entertain
ment. The other he has just acquired,
in anticipation of the clearance of the
entire Mall-Avenue triangle for Gov
eminent buildings.
This latest purchase of theater prop
erty by the Government marks the
early end of showhouse that has
passed through many changes, until
it is now only slight reminder of
early times in Washington. On this
site was erected the first theater In
Washington. constructed in 1904. 1t
was destroyed by fire in 1920. was re-
built two years later and remained as
a place of amusement for long period
For two years, in the forties of the last
century. 1t served as the home OF the
Washington city post Office, that peri
patetic establishment that drifted
around from pillar to post for decades.
As the Washington City Assembly Rooms
1t was the scene of innumerable social
gatherings, as well as of dramatic en-
tertainments, and was used, in fact,
for the inaugural festivities of Presi-
dents John Quincy Adams. Andrew
Jackson. Martin Van Buren,, William
Henry Harrison and James K. Polk.
Thus the playhouse became part of
American history
In later years 1t was known as Ker-
mans Theater, and there we're held en-
tertainments OF the sort known In those
times as variety" The old showhouse
lost caste. Yet on its boards appeared
many who, In the later development
of the drama, became famous on the
legitimate stage and in vaudeville.
In the course OF changes in public
taste and with the establishment Of
rival house Of this character the old
Kernan's Theater gradually passed out
Of vogue and when some years ago 1t
was burned and later rebuilt 1t COM
pletely departed from Its long-main-
tanned traditions. 1t was not success
full and has ever since its reconstruc-
ton been more often dark" than in
use. But little OF the structure of the
old assembly remains today, II any.
There remains third theater that
the Government viii ultimately pur-
chase, In the course of the site-acquisi-
ton process. That stands at the cor
ner of Louisiana avenue and c street.
It Is a yeritable landmark. Originally
Walls Opera House. 1t was the scene
Of many a thespian triumph in the
olden times. When the Ford Theater
Building on Tenth street was taken
over by the Government after the as
sassination there of President Lincoln,
its manager, John r. Ford. took the
old Wall house for his theatrical OPP
erations and for many years 1t was
known by his name. It later degen-
Grated into cheaper uses. and for a
time was known as the Bijou Theater.
It has not for long period been used
for public entertainments.
In this connection 1t is to be recalled
that the site Of the Post ONCE Depart
ment covers the location OF another
theater of oiden times, which. bearing
many different names, was finally
known as the Capital It stood on the
northern side of the block. For long
period prior to Its destruction to make
room for the new public building it
was only occasionally used, for variety
shows and the infrequent appearance
Of touring actors who could not find
bookings in the other houses Of WASH
ington.
To the west still stands the theater
now known as Polls. previously Chase's
and originally Albaugh's Opera House.
which the United States has owned
for at least two decades and which is
soon TO pass as the land is cleared Tor
the establishment of a plaza north OF
the new Commerce Department. With
the taking OF the President and later.
as is assured, the ancient Bijou or Ford
Tneater, and the razing OF the Poll
there will finally pass three interesting