The Joliet Opera House

From the book "Joliet, a pictorial history" by Robert E. Sterling 1986, G. Bradley Publishing Inc.

THE JOLIET OPERA HOUSE:

• "The Joliet Opera House on the northwest corner of Chicago and Clinton Streets was built in 1873 at a cost of $60,000 and opened on February 2, 1874, with comedian John E. Owens in 'Solon Shingle'. The facility was used for a variety of functions ranging from somewhat irreverent entertainment and burlesque to religious revivals and mass temperance meetings. During the depression following the financial panic of 1873, the popular 'Parlor Musical Club' gave a benefit performance to raise money for the city's poor.
  
  
• In the summer of 1890, plans were unveiled for a $15,000 expansion project to provide more seating space and an improved stage area. However, the Opera House was destroyed by fire im March, 1891. Both the fire department and water department were roundly criticised and blamed for the total loss of the building. Apparently the fireman were slow to arrive on the scene and were indecisive in handling their equipment. Insufficient water pressure at the hydrants compounded their problems and made it impossible to fight the blaze effectively. The Joliet Daily Republic and Sun complained that the chief arrived long after his men, they took too long to position the aerial ladder and then directed what little water they had on the wrong areas of the building.
  
  
• A few councilmen also criticized the department saying that the firemen looked fine on parade or playing checkers, but some of them knew too little about extinguishing fires. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter and reported to the council that the fire department was blameless. The responsibility was placed on a pump at the waterworks which lost vacuum and failed to provide sufficient water to fight the blaze. Councilman Casey confessed that he knew little about vacuums, but thought the city should have something on hand to make vacuums. He was entirely dissatisfied with the Whitewash Report and angrily asserted: "It's all poppycock; it's cussed poppycock suck stuff!"
  
  
• The Opera House was rebuilt in 1892 on the same corner and continued to serve the community culturally and socially for many years.
  

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