Encyclopedia Dubuque
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ATHENAEUM: Difference between revisions
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The renovation occurred in 1877. | The renovation occurred in 1877. | ||
See: [[ | See: [[COATES OPERA HOUSE]] | ||
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Revision as of 20:32, 19 January 2018
ATHENAEUM. The Athenaeum was constructed in 1840 at 6th and Main by James Marshall EMERSON and James Crider. (1) J. G. Shields and J. M. Emerson, the father and uncle of James H. SHIELDS used the lower story as a store. (2) For a time, the upper floors were used by MINER'S EXPRESS (THE) which eventually grew into the Daily and Weekly Herald. In 1846 the building was purchased and renovated into the CITY HOTEL by Richard Plumb. (3) The business was purchased by a Henry Miller, Charley Hewitt, a Mr. Tomkins, and after the CIVIL WAR by a Mr. Bellfield. When the property was purchased by William G. STEWART it was named the Athenaeum and converted into a theater. (4)
In October 1876 the property was purchased for $28,000 by Charles H. EIGHMEY and John Robert WALLER, Sr.. The Dubuque Herald in an article on the purchase stated that in the spring of 1877 it was the intention of the owners to renovate the interior of the building for an opera house. (5)
The "old rat trap" as it was called at the time was carefully studied. Architects from Chicago concluded the building could be renovated and owners proposed to do this, at an estimated cost from $10,000 to $20,000 if the citizens of Dubuque would purchase one thousand tickets at $5.00 each. (6)
The renovation occurred in 1877.
See: COATES OPERA HOUSE
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Source:
1. Oldt, Franklin T. and Patrick J. Quigley, History of Dubuque County, Iowa Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, . p. 51
2. "Mirth and Music," Dubuque Herald, December 28, 1877, p. 4. Online:https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18771229&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
3. "Memories of the Fourth St. Theater," Telegraph Herald, April 10, 1910, p. 6
4. "Mirth and Music"
5. "Prospect of An Opera House," Dubuque Herald, October 15, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18761015&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
6. "Rejoice," Dubuque Herald, May 6, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770506&printsec=frontpage&hl=en