Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09


and other well known stars Of half . century
and more ago. After tie tragedy Of April IA,
1865, 1t was taken possession Of by the Govern
ment, which leased It for short while and
later purchased It from its owner"
THE history Of the building at Ninth street
and Louisiana avenue, which was told two
years ago In these columns. viii also be re-
peated here to clear up any doubt on the sub
Ject. This is what was previously said by the
writer:
"John Sessford. in his Annals tells us that
In 1886 q large coach factory had been erected
on the corner Of Ninth street and Louisiana
avenue and this undoubtedly is the coach fac
tory Of Hasiup 3 Weeden, before referred to by
Mr.. Croggon.
From the available sources Of information
on the subject, It would appear that the site
was first used for theatrical purposes in 1868,
when it opened its doors under the name Of
Varieties Concert Saloon, and during the fol-
lowing year the same name was retained In
1865 we find It called the Oxford Han Of Music,
with Fox Curran 81 Norris as the ExUprietDrs
and managers. The next year. George Lea was
running the place under the name Of Canter-
bury Hall. But this did not continue long. for
in 1867 it became Walls Opera House with
Berry g. Wall listed as proprietors. From that
time on until the building was destroyed by FIRE,
early on the morning OF December 9. 1871,
or less success. The Star Of the same date,
after telling Of the fire, gives the following ac-
count Of the theater up to that time:
The opera house, . three-story brick build
ing, was originally built by Messrs Haslup &
Weldon, about the year 1850, as q coach fac
tory and subsequently as a gymnasium. About
is years ago the building was purchased by
Messrs. Thomas Berry and Francis MolTun, and
after the gymnasium had dishanded it was
used for several years as a storeroom and for
WAY xyas ffaG
up and run as q varieties theater, but was
closed after the war; and Berry and Wall the
latter gentlemen having secured Mr.. Mohun's
interest in the premises, used 1t as q storeroom
for furniture. About six years ago these gen.
tlemen. thinking it could be used to better adj
vantage, made certain necessary improvements
and repairs and Il was opened under the name
Of Walls Opera House. The theater was leased
to H. B. Phillips. who opened the place with
Rosetta and . fun dramatic company. WaIlach
and Davenport came next and under the man.
agement Of Humphrey Bland now dead q round
Of the characters peculiar to those eminent
actors, assisted BY Rose Eytinge. was played
1t was leased to Sanderson q Barton during
the season Of l86e-69, and after that Mr.. Tlhad-
deus Barton was, up to the close Of the season
OF 1901, the principal lessee. While he was
manager very eminent histrionic names APP
peared upon the boards Of Walls Opera House.
among them Nine. Marie Seebach Mrs. Scott
Siddons and Mrs Fred w. Lander; also the Mrs
James Oates and Lisa Lever hur1esaUe operate
companies, Kelly and Leon. the WaIhalIa troupe,
Bryant's MinstrelS, ETC. At the beginning of
this season 1t was leased BY Mr. J. c. Saville.
lessee of the National, and has only been oc-
cupied about three weeks In that time Ar
arrangements. however, had been completed be-
tween Mr.. Saville and Manager Risley for re-
opening next Monday
Thomas Berry, who was w. l.. Walls father
in-iaw and partner in operating the theater
was the owner Of the theater property at the
time it was destroyed. After the tEleater IRE
he rebuilt the walls Of the building and the
roof and floor and then turned it over to John
q. Ford who leased the nronertv for 10 Years