Tales from a Scenic Artist and Scholar. Part 532 – Thomas G. Moses and the Jefferson Theatre in Goshen, Indiana

Part 532: Thomas G. Moses and the Jefferson Theatre in Goshen, Indiana

In 1905, Thomas G. Moses worked on the stock scenery and asbestos curtain for the Jefferson Theater. Of the project, he wrote, “Goshen, Indiana, was a good contract.” The painted curtain by Moses, representing the Sosman & Landis firm, is partially visible in an early photograph. It depicts his signature composition, a babbling brook running through a heavily wooded area.

Listed as the New Jefferson Theatre in Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide, Sosman & Landis were listed as the scenic art firm that produced the stock scenery collection. The width of the proscenium measured 37 feet 6 inches wide by 32 feet high. The depth of the footlights to the back wall was 42 feet 6 inches, the distance between side walls was 64 feet, and the distance between the fly girders was 54 feet. The height to the rigging loft was 64 feet and the height to the fly gallery was 32 feet. One bridge connected the fly galleries. There were no grooves, just a “scenic rack” to store flats and interior box sets.

“The Indianapolis Star” reported, that the Goshen promoters named the new opera house for the deceased actor Jefferson (29, April 1905, page). The article noted, ““The Builders of the new theater in this city have decided to call the house the Jefferson Theatre. This will be the first city in the country to pay such tribute to the memory of the dead actor since he passed away. The owners had already decided to name the house the Goshen Opera House, but when the news of Jefferson’s death was received they changed this decision.” In May 1905, construction began on the theater. In July, a scaffold collapsed injuring three brick masons after they fell from the third floor to the first (Bristol Banner, 28 July 1905, page 1).

During construction, “A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Elkhart Country, Indiana” was published. An article on the Goshen Opera House provides some details about the performance venue, located at 216 S. Main Street in Goshen. The book’s editor was Anthony Deahl of the Elkhart County Bar.

Here is Deahl’s entry for the new Goshen Opera House in 1905.

“The new business block and theatre building, in course of erection in the summer of 1905 by the Sanders, Hay and Neidig Company, gives Goshen another institution of distinctive character and one which the citizens may well feel proud. Erected at a cost of $75,000, with a frontage of 111 feet and depth of 162 feet, three stories high, material and buffed Bedford limestone and buffed mottled Roman brick, the entire building is of usually beautiful proportions and effective design. The theatre, 67 by 162 feet is on ground floor. Three sets of doors go from the street to the main vestibule, and two sets admit to the lobby. To the right as the lobby is entered is a private office of the theater manager. Adjoining it is the box office, with ticket window opening into the lobby as well as the gallery passageways. Next to the box office, and with an opening from the foyer, is a checkroom for hats, coats, etc. Two sets of doors open from the lobby into a 10-foot foyer, at the right and left of which are stairways, each 4 ½ feet wide, leading up to the balcony. The stairs are very easy, the rise being six inches and the tread 11 inches.

Col. J. M. Wood, the architect, has followed the classic style of the architecture in the interior of the theatre and tends somewhat toward the Ionic. The decorative effects will be subdued, dignified and very artistic. The scheme of coloring will be a harmony of delicate greens, blended with old ivory. All of the furnishings, including the draperies, carpets, etc., will be handsome and in keeping with the general character of the theater.

Over 1,100 people can be seated in the theatre. The main auditorium measures 64 feet wide and 66 feet long. The height is about 45 feet. The four proscenium boxes, two on either side, seat six persons each and two loges, one of either side, four persons each. The boxes are in the Ionic style, with huge pillars as the dividing line.

The balcony seats 325 people. The orchestra pit is 5 ½ feet wide with under stage entrance. The proscenium is 38 feet wide and 28 feet high. The arch itself is an ellipse, 20 feet deep ad 50 feet long, extending from the outer edges of the boxes. It will be done in relief plaster, with magnificent decorations and prove the attractive feature of the theatre. Built of steel and brick, the arch will, when the asbestos curtain is lowered and fire-proof doors closed, completely separate the stage form the auditorium, doing away with much of the danger of fire, as fires in theatres nearly always start on the stage.

The architect has been careful to comply with the state law in detail. A general heating plant in the basement will furnish heat for the whole block. Steam will be used. All the plumbing is of the attest kind. In all there are seven exits, the lower floor, balcony and gallery all having openings in to the alley on the south of the building. The law provides for 20 inches of exit space for every 100 people. Col. Wood’s plans provide 40 inches, just double the amount required by law. All apparatus for fire fighting will be placed in the theatre.

A wide stairway south of the double room will lead to the upper floors of the entire block, wide corridors being arranged. The offices will be furnished in the metropolitan style, steam heated, electric lighted and with toilet rooms. The woodwork will be in oak, with red beech floors. There are several suites. On the third floor, over the double room, will be a lodge room, with kitchen, buffet, billiard room, card room, reception parlor, etc.

Suspended from the building by means of heavy iron chains a wrought iron, highly ornamental, and prism glass canopy or porte cochere, will extend out over the full width of the sidewalk, affording shelter in front of the whole entrance to the playhouse.

The Sanders, Hay and Neidig Company, through whose enterprise this fine building has been erected in Goshen, was incorporated February 6, 1905, with the following well known business and financial men as its officers: George W. Hay, president; Daniel A. Sanders, vice-president; Harry M. Sanders, secretary; and David W. Neidig, treasurer.”

The Jefferson Theatre was completed shortly before the first performance of “The Merchant of Venice,” on 6 Nov. 1905. Richard Mansfield, who played Shylock, dedicated the building on opening night. Sadly, the venue was destroyed by fire the next year, on December 18, 1906. The fire began in the next door basement of Stiver & Smith’s Furniture Store. Despite the best efforts of local fire departments, the flames consumed the block. The newspaper reported that the opera house building originally cost $85,000 to build, was insured for only $40,000 (Garrett Clipper, 27 Dec. 1906, page 8). Construction for a new opera house began immediately.

The Chicago architectural firm of Patton & Miller designed a new Jefferson Theatre that opened in 1907.

To be continued…