HERITAGE VIGNETTES by Marilyn A. Bekker

ENTERTAINMENT

S.G. Stein and S.G. Hill constructed a new building at 121 East Second Street in 1852. In 1856, the third floor was fitted out for use as a public hall for theatrical entertainments, lectures, debates and other programs. The place was called Tremont Hall, later known as Stein Music Hall. Names like Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, appeared on the programs in 1857. A concert was scheduled for December 30, 1859. The Lettsville Dramatic Association performed “The Drunkard or the Fallen Saved” on February 21, 1878. In later years, the Hall was used by fraternal societies. The building was torn down in 1963 to make room for a new F.W. Woolworth Store.

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McGraw, manager of the Old’s Opera House, announced arrangements for the production of the magnificent opera, “Faust” on November 7, 1867. A German opera troupe had never visited Muscatine and great excitement was reported in musical circles here as well as in communities as far away as Iowa City, Wapello, Washington and Columbus City. The price of admission for parquet seats was only $1.25 cents extra for reserved seats and gallery seats were available at 75 cents. The crowd attending was gay and festive. Although not as large as expected, it was quite respectable. The audience had no librettos, but it was reported that interest did not lag.

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The new Turner Opera House on Sixth and Iowa Avenue was dedicated on December 14, 1885, and the presentation of the opera “Galatea” was held on the 17th. The imposing building of wood with gabled cornices to the windows had three public entrances; two on the Avenue and one on Sixth Street. The building was 130 feet long and 60 feet wide. The facilities consisted of the main hall, including a stage, a turn hall and offices, sample room or bar, two dressing rooms for ladies, two dressing rooms for performers, four rooms for a janitor’s residence, a meeting room for the society and a ticket office.

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The evening of July 12, 1876, was a festive occasion for Muscatine. A splendid parade by the Champion and Reserve fire-fighters! The firemen with their soldierly bearing and beautiful uniforms were led on parade by the Independence band. The procession ended at the brilliantly light Court House Square where tables were spread for ice cream and other refreshments. The band continued to discourse sweet strains of music and the tables were so generously patronized that in a short time 40 gallons of ice cream gave out. The total receipts were $175 and the profit about $60, the money being used to support the fire companies.

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The circus came to town by way of the river in August 8, 1878. It arrived at 6:00 a.m. on the steamer Sam Roberts and three covered barges. The tents were pitched on the levee, although their great size made this almost impossible. On the first barge, which was 200 feet long, there were about 20 cages and band wagons. The second carried five elephants and some horses. The remaining barge was devoted to horses. More than 150 men comprised the troupe. The John Robinson Big Show presented a long and imposing street parade in addition to an afternoon and evening performance. Circus days brought great excitement to the City of Muscatine.

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Railroad excursions were a popular event of the past. On August 5, 1902, over 400 Muscatine people left the city by train to attend the picnic of the Southeastern Iowa Picnic Association of the Modern Woodmen of America. The Mechanics band went along as did a crack drill team from the city. The Rock Island Railroad provided eight coaches and a baggage car. It acted as an excursion train, stopping to pick up passengers at each station along the way. The fare was $1 for the round trip from all stations. The train left Muscatine at 7:40 a.m. and returned at midnight after a full day of programs and socializing.

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Hershey pasture along the Muscatine Slough was a favorite picnic spot in 1906. Not an evening passed without several hundred people enjoying a visit there and on Sunday crowds were greater than any other park. During the week the majority came to the grounds about 6 o’clock for their supper, after which they tried their luck with pole and line. Others spent the entire day, arriving soon after daybreak. Rowing became a popular sport and every day found city residents coming to the Slough and renting a boat for the evening. Several rowing clubs were formed and they preferred the quiet water of the Slough to the rough river current.

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Three cabin cruisers, the Sparks, Sparks II and the Viviane, took off at 1:45 p.m., July 3, 1908, in the opening event of the first annual races of the newly organized Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association. Rivermen with almost every describable type of craft, form frail little 14 footers to spacious cabin cruisers, were in Muscatine to participate in the weekend regatta. Racers came from up and down the river, from Rock Island to Keokuk. A parade of boats, lasting an hour, took place as the concluding event with all boats displaying Chinese lanterns and red and green lights. The races were declared the greatest exhibition of speed ever seen on the Mississippi and not a single accident marred the event.

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The new Family Theatre on East Third Street opened on May 11, 1907. Two audiences enjoyed a bill that featured five vaudeville acts that were said to be the best ever seen in the city. Capt. Treat’s seals and the Hamea Japs were claimed to be the best acts on the bill. The new theatre was a large roomy structure erected by J.C. Sodini on the W.S. Hill lot at the corner of Third and Cedar and was operated by the Family theatre Company. The concern had numerous vaudeville houses in various parts of the Central States.

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“The Romance of Muscatine” was the tale of a one-reel comedy filmed entirely with local characters and shown at the Palace Theatre on July 5, 6, and 7, 1916. Among the cast were Ethel Salisbury Hanley, Fred Morgan, Charles Salisbury, Mayor R.S. McNutt, Frank Stebbins and John Boyans. In the story Jack, according to the terms of a will, had to be married on his 21st birthday. He did not learn of this until his birthday and Mary, his fiancée, was out of town. He persuaded her brother to impersonate her but the disguise was detected and the brother arrested. Mary returned just in time! The film scenes included Weed Park, portions of East Hill, the Court House and part of the downtown district. “The Romance of Muscatine” was filmed here in June, 1916.

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On Sunday, November 25, 1928, the Palace Theatre presented the first talking picture to Muscatine audiences. The movie, “State Street Sadie” starred Conrad Nagel and Myrna Loy. The Vitaphone talking pictures that been installed in the theatre. The Vitaphone process had been introduced in August, 1926, in New York City. Months of preliminary work were required to fit out the theatre for the showing. Manager George Gambrill chose the Vitaphone because picture and sound were synchronized best in this method. Hundred waited in line to see the talking pictures and many were turned away for lack of space.

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Crowds cheered when the Big Muskies took the floor. In 1916-17 about 1,200 people each week made their way to the armory at 213 East Third Street to watch their favorite basketball team in action. It was a professional team, managed by George Volger. Playing on the team were Elmer Bloom, Eugene Healy, Sheldon Schruers, Ralph Lohr, Chester Lilley, Harry Hahn, Robert Hasbrook, Albert Gould, and James Cullen. Known as one of the finest teams in the country, they played 40 or 50 games each season. It was not difficult to secure the best teams for competition since a team would be paid $250 for playing one game of $400 for two, good money for those days. It was divided between the team members. Local fans packed the Armory each time the big Muskies played.

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Thousands cheered as a sleek black racer streaked across the finish line at the first Soap Box Derby race ever held in Muscatine. the winner of the event was Richard Albert. Due to a disqualification of the second place winner, Frank Albert Jr. was the runner-up to his brother. The winner of the race won a total of $20 -- $5 for each preliminary heat and $10 grand prize for the final race. Richard also was awarded $10 for having the best built car. The first annual Soap Box Derby was held on Labor Day, 1937. It was run down Fulliam Avenue hill and included a thrilling curve at the bottom. Sponsors for the event were the Muscatine Journal and Henderson’s Garage.

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