USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Boston notions; being an authentic and concise account of "that village," from 1630 to 1847 > Part 27
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(Hawley street ;) a major part of the citizens signed a peti- tion for a repeal of the laws " as unconstitutional. inexpedi- ent and absurd," and the patronage at the exhibition room being extensive, the plan for erecting a suitable brick build- ing for Theatrical purposes was easily carried into execution: the spacious edifice at the corner of Franklin and Federal streets, 140 feet in length, 61 feet wide and 40 high, was opened for a first performance on Feb. 3d., 1794, under the management of Mr. Charles 9. Powell : a misunderstanding taking place between Mr. P. and the proprietors, Col. J. S. Tyler took his place, but not succeeding well, Mr. John B. Williamson assumed the office : the friends of Mr. Powell then mustered funds for building the large HAYMARKET THE- ATRE at the bottom of the Mall, on the spot now occupied by the three buildings next south of Coloanade Row, of wood, of the largest size and most convenient construction; which was opened Dec. 9th, 1796, with the Belle's Stratagem, in which Mr. James A. Dickson made his first appearance as a performer ; the entertainment closed with a pantomime by a French " Corps du Ballet.". It was here Mrs. Darly made her debut as Narcissa, in Inkle and Yarico.
The Haymarket Theatre was discontinued after a few sea- sons, and it being an immense pile of pine lumber, over- topping the neighboring estates, was staved to pieces a few years afterwards and sold for fuel : no other similar establish- ment was opened till the Washington Garden at the corner of West and Common streets, in connexion with the Federal street concern, catering for the amusement of the public ; but this in a short time passed into other hands and became a rival to the theatre, when this in its turn was razeed and cleared off for house lots.
1797, Mr. Williams having failed as Manager, it was then taken by Messrs. Barrett & Harper; on Feb. 2d., 1798, the inside of the Theatre was destroyed by fire which com
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menced in one of the dressing rooms :- Oct. 29th, 1798, it being repaired, was opened under the management of MR. HODGKINSON : April 29th, 1799, Mr. H. failed in the Federal street concern and opened the Haymarket Theatre, and this season was the last of Mr. H's. performing in Boston .- Oct. 1799, The Federal street was opened under the management of Mr. G. L. Barrett, and failed before its usual time for elo- sing :- Oct. 27th, 1800, It opened under the management of Mr. Whitlock, who lost upwards of $4,000, and gave it up : this season introduced Mrs. Jones to a Boston audience .- Nov. 30th, 1801, It was opened under the management of Messrs. Powell & Harper .- Oct. 27th, 1802, Under the man- agement of Mr. Snelling Powell : who continued it until Oct. 1806, when Messrs. Bernard & Dickson united with Mr. P., in its direction till 1811; when Mr. Bernard retired from the concern, and Messrs. Powell & Dickson managed it the 6 following years : in the season of 1816, Mr. Dickson retired from the stage as a performer, and since then, has appeared but twice, and those at the two benefits of his re- lative, Mrs. Powell : he yet continued in the management ; -1817, commenced under the management of Messrs. Pow- ell, Dickson and Duff, which continued for three years : when Mr. Duff retired from the concern : after the decease of Mr. Powell, [ April 8th, 1821; ] the management devolved on Mr. Dickson in behalf of Mrs. Powell and himself, aided by Mr. Kilner as Acting-manager it continued thus till the expiration of the lease, May 1824 .- In Sept. 1824, it opened under the auspices of Messrs. Kilner & Finn, for themselves and Mrs. Powell, on a lease of three years. It is worthy of remark, that for the twenty-two past years, there had not oc- curred an instance of a loss on any performer's salary, trade- man's bill or any other demand on the establishment, by a refusal of payment.
In 1834, The Boston Theatre was leased to the ACADEMY
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OF MUSIC, a public institution tor improvement in the vocal and instrumental departinents of that interesting and pleasing science, under the guidance of Mr. Lowell Mason, whose melodious compositions have received a heart-felt response from our community, and whose pupils have become useful as correct instructors ; aided by Mr. George Webb, whose organic developements in magic sounds from St. Paul's church organ, have elicited the inward approbation of our musical people.
The Oleon was also used on the Sabbath, by a Congrega- tional Society, under the pastoral care of Rev. William M. Rogers, who was installed Aug. 6th, 1835, and in 1839 the Society built an elegant church on Winter street and Rer. Geo. Richards ordained Oct. 8th, 1845 as colleague. See pages 218 to 221.
The Federal street Theatre was again prepared for the reign of Theatricals in 1846, which was closed early in 1817, and it is now leased to Mr. C. R. Thorne for three years, to be opened again for Theatrical performances.
WASHINGTON THEATRE.
This building was erected in the Washington Gardens at the corner of Tremont and West Streets in 1819; it was cal- culated in its arrangements for either equestrian or theatrical entertainments : the gardens were popular for a time but owing to some mismanagement, that was soon on the ware, and in ten years it was cleared off for a better service for the land.
THE LION THEATRE.
The building formerly known as the 'Lion Tavern,' on Washington Street, was purchased by the New York Zoolog- ical Institute, and converted into a theatre. It was opened
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on the 11th of January, 1836, under the management of Mr. Barrymore, Equestrian exercises formed a part of the amusements, but it was soon closed, and the large new and elegant hall known as the ' Melodeon,' now stands on the same ground.
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TREMONT THEATRE.
A new Theatre was erected on Tremont street, in 1827, under the direction of Mr. Win. Pelby, and opened for the - atrical performances Sept. 27th of that year, under the man- agement of Mr. P. : It is situated on Tremont street ; its form is a parallelogram, 79 feet front and 135 feet deep. Its front is of granite, its sides of brick, the walls being 18 inches thick. The front is in imitation of the Ionic order, with four pilas- ters, and two antaes, one on each angle, supporting an entab- lature and pediment, and elevated on a basement 17 feet. The pilasters are 25 feet 1 inches high, including their bases and caps; their width 3 feet 3 inches projecting one foot from the wall.
In 1828 this theatre was re-opened by an association of gentlemen, under the management of Mr. Booth, who was succeeded by Mr. Wilson, when in 1830 its management fell into the hands of Mr. Russell. July, 1831, Mr. Barrett became the manager, and in 1833 it fell into the hands of Mr. Barry. Since this time its history has been variable. It continued to be a Theatre until 1842, when it was sold to the Baptist society worshiping under the dispensations of Rev. Mr. Colver : for the sum of $50,000 : the society cleared out most of the inside work of the building, and newly arranged the whole interior, at a cost of about $21,000, which on the whole, will become an uncommon good outlay, producing a large per centage beyond a fair interest on the cost. The Building was dedicated to the worship of God Dec. Ah, 1813.
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NATIONAL THEATRE.
In 1831 a building of wood was erected on the corner ( Portland and Traverse Streets for equestrian performance and opened in February, 1832, under the management ( two brothers of the name of Stewart. They continued the exhibitions there at a great sacrifice and then resigned the building to Mr. Wm. Pelby, who made improvements by extending its size for the representation of the Drama ; and changed the name to WARREN THEATRE : the success which attended this concern enabled Mr. P. to become principal if not the only proprietor of that large establishment of the NATIONAL THEATRE, which occupies about 16,000 feet of ground, and on which he erected the National Theatre in 1836 ; which ever since that date, has been under his man- agement and without doubt has rewarded the industry and perseverance of its enterprising proprietor with a competence of the comforts and pleasures of life, as well as with its honors.
THE MILLER TABERNACLE.
A singular shaped one story building with an elevated roof, was erected on Howard street and dedicated May 4th, 1843, by a special class of worshippers of Deity who had mathematically calenlated the exact day and hour when the Son of God would appear to them ; when this globe would melt with fervent heat and the glory of the Lord be seen and enjoyed by them with an exclusive joy : thousands and tens of thousands of deluded mortals through our country and in England, were impatiently looking forward for the great day when they only were to be called for righteous- ness, and to ascend bodily to the triune God-head; but when the stated time arrived, it passed off with nature's smoothest grace, save only the sound of unusual screams and excla-
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ATHENEUM THEATRE.
Erected on Howard Street, 1516
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mations of those weak and noisy disciples ; many of whom lost the balance of their reasoning powers, and became in- mates of an insane hospital ; and many more as recklessly wasted their property and substance who are struggling in the morass of poverty, or what is tantamount to it, in the labyrinths of the law trying to get it back again :- about a year after the first great excitement, they tried again to prophesy a specified time, and the deluded followers again prepared ascension robes to pass from earth to Heaven in, and again the only commotion was among themselves :- hun- dreds of these unfortunate fanatics are now in the Hospitals, and in the official report from that of Worcester, the number there on account of religious frensies, nearly equals the nun- ber caused by intemperance : and as yet the leaders of this party continue to cry aloud on their unholy ground, their knowledge of the determined doings of the Lord, to continue that excitement notwithstanding the extensive ruin they have already caused to many individuals and to the cause of a rational and peaceful religion, which acquiesces in the works of Providence with a grateful happy spirit, and which fore- stalls not the designs of God with impious threats if their par- ticular code is not acknowledged to be at least equal to that of the Divine Law-giver.
Soon after the latter time of disappointed hope deferred, they let their building to a company of Ethiopian Singers and Banjo players ; after which, on the 13th of October, 1845, it was opened for Theatrical performances and in a little time it was burnt down to the ground.
ATHENEUM THEATRE.
WITH AN ENGRAVING.
The corner stone for a new Theatre to be called the How- ARD ATHENEUM was laid on the Tabernacle spot, July 4th, 1846 : and opened in the fall for the winter campaign and for
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the past winter season it has been well supported and bids fair to have a firm hold on public favor for some time to come, should no other sommerset or whim occur to produce its overthrow. For beauty of the external design and ap- pearance, and for the convenience of an audience within, the public award to it a pre-eminence over all we have thus far had in the city. The performances of 48 Viennoise children, varying from the ages of 7 to 16 years in all the intricate evolutions of the most difficult Shawl, Sheaf, Har- vest Home and other dances, attracted the admiration of the people of Boston and places in the vicinity to such a degree, that the rush for tickets during the many weeks they per- formed, caused the tickets to be sold at auction to the high- est bidder, when from 250 to 500 dollars premium was realized on every day's sale ; and at this latter part of the season they introduced to a Boston audience a company of Italian singers from the Havana, whose uncommon excellence has produced a similar rush, and the premium for the tickets has risen from 250 to 1000 dollars on each day's sale, as a pre- mium beyond the usual price of the tickets.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BOSTON.
In 1845. The " CRUFT BLOCK " of four granite front Ware- houses of 4 stories on Pearl street and six convenient dwell- ing houses in their rear, were erected by Mr. Cruft on the spot previously occupied by his house and garden plat.
" OREGON BLOCK ? of three spacious Warehouses of 4 stories with granite front, was built by John Fairbanks in 1846, on Pearl Street.
" QUINCY BLOCK " comprising four Jarge warehouses with granite front, erected in 1817-in Pearl street.
" BROOKS BLOCK" also of four stories with granite front and 4 stores, was ereeted in 1847, on Pearl Street.
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" MILK ST. BLOCK " fronting Federal street of four granite front Stores was built in 1845 by Mr. Win. Goddard.
" BOWDOIN BLOCK " on Milk street. erected in 1845 by Andrew Carney comprising three Warehouses.
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"SEWALL BLOCK " of three Stores, created in 1846 of 4 stories on Milk street, by I. E. & N. Brown.
" MORTON BLOCK " of 5 superior Warehouses on Milk street were erected in 1845 by Mr. Pliny Cutler and others.
" LAWRENCE BLOCK D of two Warehouses on Milk street erected in 1844 by Hon. Abbot Lawrence.
"OLD SOUTH BLOCK " of three spacious Warehouses of superior style and value, was built in 1845, on the Parson- age house site, with one other Building belonging to the Old South Church society.
A BLOCK OF STORES on the corner of Milk and Hawley streets and one on the corner of Milk and Atkinson streets were erected in 1845, the latter on the Justice Stephen Gorham estate, who became poor by building the Pearl street public House.
BATH STREET, leading from Congress and Water street on a curveing line east to Milk street, has been lined on both sides with Stores and Warehouses of four stories, du- ring five past years.
ON FEDERAL. STREET, a superior Block of two Granite Warehouses were erected on the she of the Baptist Church, in 1845 by Hon. Abbot Lawrence, of four stories-The Church society having a new building on the corner of Bed- ford and Rowe Streets. Also. another Block of thee Ware- houses on Federal Street, neater the Theatre, erected in 1844 by Hen. Abbot Lawienee of four stories.
SANFORD BLOCK on Federal, fronting Franklin street, of six Stores, were erected by Samuel Sanford in 18:46.
MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY in 1844 erected a handsome building for their useful and noble purposes on School street on the site of the Latin School House, the low- er story improved as the Society's Seed Store, and the Halls above for an exhibition room and for muterebanging ideas and improvements in the science of Fanning and Honiculture,
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and for disseminating valuable information of their progress and doings to the farming interest.
At the junction of COURT AND SUDBURY Streets is the DER- BY RANGE of Stores and the Derby house of entertainment, built in 1846.
Corner of Union and Hanover streets is the Diamond Block of wooden Stores built by Mr. Diamond in 1845.
HANOVER STREET has been greatly improved by many handsome modern style edifices, some few quite unique and harmonious in their proportious and embellishments ; the at- tractions by neat Stores for business purposes and varieties of merchandise for the wants of the community for the retail trade, bespeaks for that section of the city a full proportion of active business, where the rents are within due bounds.
RICHMOND STREET from Hanover to Fulton street has been made considerably wider and in time will afford a handsome avenue from Charlestown street to Commercial street.
ANN STREET, which has of late years housed the most degraded part of the city population, is under the levelling application of the piek-ave and the broom, for cleansing the Angean stable : the clearing off the old rubbish has be- gan, and in its place the beautiful " GERRISH BLOCK " with granite front ereeted in 1846, and the HIGHBORN BLOCK In the same street, and a new Block on the site of the OLD EASTERN HOTEL, which spot is well known throughont our country towns, as the most extensive Stage office in Boston ; -May enterprise speed the time when no such extensive evidence of depravity and wretched squalid vice and stench- pool, shall greet the eye or nostrils of the passenger : At the corner of Barrett and Ann streets an elegant large stone building has been completed this season.
In the NORTH WEST part of the city great additions have been made of land reclaimed from the tide waters and ex- tensive rows of handsome brick buildings erected ; North Charles St. Livingston and Auburn streets, are entirely new made land.
LOWELL, BILLERICA AND NASSAU STREETS near the Lowell R. R. Depot were all formed and built on from 1835 to 1810, with hand some rows of dwellings, their entire lengths and on both sides of each street.
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NORTH HUDSON STREET. rear of Commercial, near old Charles River Bridge was built upon with handsome and convenient dwellings in 1846.
Copp's HILL CEMETERY has been much improved during the past two years by laying ont neat paths in every suitable direction, and by planting trees and shubbery to beautify and hallow the spo !.
FULTON STREET in 1838 was increased in valve, beauty and conveniences by the erection of several blocks of rich buildings for trade and commerce.
FERRY STREET from Ann to Fulton ; Barrett St. and Shoe and Leather Sts. covered with four story brick warehouses all erected in 1844.
RAIL ROAD WHARF, next north of Commercial wf. was mostly reclaimed from tide water and built on in 1845 and 1846, having a long range of Granite Warehouses of four stories on each side : an elegant Hotel on the south range facing the east containing 80 sleeping rooms, extensive Halls, Baths, &c. &c. : the East-Boston Ferry boats ply from this wharf.
THE MASSACHUSETTS BLOCK, of four stories, fronting on Court square extending on Williams' Court 150 feet, con- taining 70 good sized rooms for offices, &c. was built in 1847, a spacious entry through the whole extent, gives it an airy, healthy and prepossessing appearance ; this building took the place of a number of old dilapidated shanties 100 miserable for use.
DEARBORN BLOCK ; now being erected on Federal street of four granite stories, buih by that enterprising scientific mechanic Geo. W. Gerrish, who purchased the land from the legatees of the late Benjamin Dearborn : this block of superb buildings is the fourth that Mr. Genish has built, and all are ornamental to the city and first-rate business concerns.
The Granite building numbered 13 on Winter St. was erected in 1846, by Thomas Wigglesworth, of three stories, with one store.
The Granite Building 234 Washington St. was built in 1845, by Benjn. F. Blaney, of three stories and one store occupied by John Doggen & Co.
The Granite block numbered 281, 285 and 287 on Wash-
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ington St. was erected in 1845 by Franklin Dexter, of three stories and three stores.
The Granite corner of Washington and Essex streets was built in 1832. Three stories high, and has three stores.
The Granite block on the corner of Washington and Boylston Streets was built by David E. Mosely in 1845-of four stories and with three stores, the Boylston bank occupy- ing a chamber.
The two stores north of the Mosely block was built in 1845, by John I. Brown of four stories: and the block of three stores north of this was erected the same year.
The Granite block of four stores on State Street was built by the Merchants bank in 1843, the edifice is of three stories.
The Granite block on the corner of School and Washing- ton St. was built by David S. Greenough in 1843, of four stories with three stores.
The Granite block on Washington St. numbered 94 and 78 was built by David Sears, of three stories with two Stores.
The Granite building on the corner of Washington St. and Spring lane was erected in 1845, by O. Goodwin, of three stories and one store.
The Dalton block on Congress Street, numbered 65, 67, 69, and 71 was built in 1845, by Thomas Wigglesworth with two stores.
The Granite block on Washington St. of three stories, and two stores numbered 95 and 97 Washington St. was built in 1831. by John Borland.
The Granite block, corner of State and Broad St. of four stories, with two stores, was erected in 1845, by Jonathan Phillips and occupied by Samuel Thaxter & Son.
The Granite building numbered 122 State St. fronting Broad St. was built in 1823, by Benj. Loring, of four stories and one store, which he occupies under the firm of Benj. Loring & Co.
The Granite block at the corner of West and Washington St. known as AMORY HALL was built in 1835, by Henry Cod- man, of three stories, having three stores on the lower floor and two large halls above for public meetings ; one hall to ac- comodate 600 persons and the other for 300, with five rooms for offices.
The beautiful Granite block at the north west corner of Winter and Washington St. was built in 1846. by Rev. R.
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M. Hodges of Cambridge, of four stories comprising thice lower stores and large halls above. 1
The Granite building numbered 91 on Washington St. being the 2d south of Joy's Building, was erected by Rollins & Demeritt in 1845, of four stories, with one large store.
The Granite building No. 129 Washington St. was erected in 1846, of three stories with one store.
The Granite building No. 192 Washington St. was built in 1840, by the late Col. Henry Sargent, of two stories, oc- cupied by G. W. Warren & Co.
The Granite building adjoining Mr. Hodge's block, corner of Winter and Washington St. North, was erected by Prof. Edwd. E. Salisbury, of New Haven, four stories with one store.
The three granite buildings north of Prof. Salisbury's on Washington St. were erected in 1846, by Mr. Thomas Wig- glesworth, of four stories with three stores.
The Granite block Nos. 237 and 211 on Washington St. was erected in 1846 of four stories and four stores.
The handsome Granite block of two stores, numbered 117 and 121 on Washington St. were erected by Wm. D. Solier and E. V. Ashton, of four stories, 100 feet in depth, 22 feet front each, finished with French window frames and plate glass, and were well built in every respect.
The Granite block of six stores north of Amory hall was built in 1834, by Kittredge & Blake, of three stories.
The Granite block sonth but one of West St. on Washing- ton St. was erected by Eliphalet Davis, of Cambridge, in 1815, of three stories and three stores.
The Brick range of four story buildings on Washington St. corner of Eliot St. comprising six stores, was raised bodily three feet, by windlass Jacks, in 1845; and granite ports or pillars inserted to sustain it ; adding the 3 feet to the lower story ; this great exploit seemed to have been accomplished without shaking a brick from its correct position.
The Masonic Temple, on Tremont Street, fronting the Mall, was erected in 1831, by the Grand Lodge of Massir chusetts, comprising a spacious Hall for public meeting., concerts, &e. and will seat 750 persons; it has several school rooms and rooms for other purposes; the Masonic Lodges hold their meetings in the upper part of the building.
Temple Place was completed building on in 1814; com-
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prising twenty two very elegant dwelling houses, built by various persons.
The Brick block on the west corner of Marshall St. and Hanover St. was erected in 1817 by C. E. Wiggin of four stories and two stores.
The Granite front block on the north east corner of Wil- son's lane, and Washingion St. was erected in 1845, by U. & J. Ritchie, of four stories with three stores.
Braver's building on the east corner of Devonshire and State St. was erected in 1842, owned by Miss Sarah Brooks of Princeton, it being of three stories with two stores.
The Granite front block on the west corner of Devonshire and State St. was built in 1845, by Geo. A. Otis, of three stories and four stores.
The Brick block on the corner of State Street and Chatham Row was built in 1847 by M. Tisdale, of five stories and three stores.
The Brick block at the corner of Chatham Row and But- ler's square was erected in 1847, by M. Tisdale, of five stories with two stores.
The Granite block numbered 52, 54, 56 and 58 on Pearl St. was built in 1816, by Dodge & Tucker, of four stories with two warehouses.
The Granite front block between Brooks' block and the Pearl St. house was built in 1846, of four stories, comprising eighteen stores, by various owners.
The Brick block on the corner of Howard and Court Street was erected in 1815, owned by the heirs of the late George Redding, of four stories and 3 stores.
The superior Granite front block at the corner of Court and Bulfinch Streets, was built in 1846, by Gardner Chilson, of four stories with three stores.
The two Brick blocks on Tremont street, between Beacon Street, and the Engine house, North, were erected in 1835 and 6, compri-ing twenty eight stores of three and four sto- ries, by various owners.
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