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■ 4*MMMWMMMMib -—HIM r. » ■ -|. n n »», ■ m—Mwn»ni mw, .. ■ i»n—i i mmi OTPMM juy , r-inri —w mrw.^’MMmiw__„________________ ___... __48 Years AgoOld Temple Grand 6 irnedJULY 4th, 1920. The front of the fire blackened Temple Grand Theater as itappeared the morning after the disastrousfire. It would seat 1,100 persons with its two balconies. Said to have had the largest stage in Iowa prior to 1913.A 48-year historical anniversary.Just 48 years ago tonight the famed Temple Grand Theater - an historic show place in south central Iowa - was destroyed by fire. Residents of Creston awoke Fourth of July morning in 1920 to view the smoking remains of a once grand eloquent center of culture.It was located where the First Christian Church now stands.The Temple Grand was the most famous show house throughout area. All of the big traveling shows made it a point to play it.On this anniversary occasion, a former Crestonian who as a boy worked around the Temple Grand and later continued in the theater field as projection operator, technician, etc., has written some highlights about the old Temple Grand. He is Percy E. Thomas of 2221 Jones Street, Omaha.He worked as a stage hand for the Temple Grand before World War I. Many another Crestonian of that era can recall a turn as stage hand for the old show house. It was a way of getting in to the show.Mru Thomas' letter follows;An angle view of the burned building, showing its heighth. Blackened interior shows dimly through smoke. The Temple Grand was noted for its acoustics. These pictures weretaken by Percy Thomas at that time. He made them avail-forl use on this 48th anniver-Omaha, Nebr.,June 28, 1968.Many musical shows carried a complement of 80 or more people, sometimes with full orchestra. Minstrel shows and Uncle Tom's Cabin were very popular during that era. However, public accommodations for negro troupers were non existent, presenting a problem not easily solved in towns likeCreston.Horses on StageAttractions like 'The Great Waltz' took nine husky men topull up and tie off the massivevelvet curtain used in the ballroom scene. On Ben Hur it was necessary to hire 32 extra men to assist in handling the heavy equipment, including two large tread mills using four real horses in the chariot racescene.Traveled l»y RailThe railroads gave traveling theatrical attractions somespecial services. A private baggage car with the purchase of 40 tickets. Most shows needed two baggage cars, thus bought 80 tickets. As the train pulled in the private baggage cars would be switched to a siding near theable to the News Advertiser sary of the fire.Kim street crossing for unloading. The 'scenic drops' were snugly rolled up for transport and were 45 foot in length. Some shows used as many as 22 sceniccurtains.The Weaver Transfer Co. had a horse drawn rig especiallydesigned to accommodate the 45foot scenery. The loading took place again after the show finish about midnight and the entire troupe and baggage cars were on their merry way westbound on train number 3 about 1:30 a.m.My most profound recollection goes back to Thanksgiving week of 1916. ... A large group drove from Greenfield in a horse drawn bob sled to attend - 'Getting Gerties Garter' starring the popular Charlottee Greenwood. A rip-snorting blizzard moved in about 10 p.m. and the Greenfield people andmany others, too, who had come in from a distance were stranded in Creston for several days.Recognizing the crude methods and paraphernalia at our disposal 50 years ago, I have yet to witness anything on stage or screen as spectacular and spellbinding as the volcanoscene in 'The Bird of Paradise' as presented on the Temple Grand stage. The people of Creston got their money's worth in those days.P. E. Thomas2221 Jones St., Apt. 23,Omaha, Nebr. 68102.
Newspaper Details
Creston News Advertiser
Creston, Iowa, US
Wed, Jul 03, 1968
Page 1
Full Page
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USA 16 Sep 2019
Other Publications Near Creston, Iowa
Creston Evening News
Creston Daily Advertiser
Creston News Advertiser
Creston Morning American
Standard Atlas of Union County Iowa
