Demolition of the seats on the southern end of the Butler Bowl

Description:	In 1954 roughly 16,000 seats were removed from the south side of the Butler Bowl (renamed the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl in 2017) to enable the construction of the Hilton U. Brown Theatre. Opening in 1955, as the Hilton U. Brown Theatron, the approximately $350,000 to $400,000 structure was named for Hilton U. Brown (Class of 1880, M.A. 1882), President of the Butler University Board of Directors from 1903 to 1955. When the Butler Bowl opened in 1928, it could seat approximately 35,000 people and there was an option to add additional seating for a total capacity of more than 70,000 spectators. By the 1950s the need for such a large stadium was no longer necessary and in 1953 the University signed a contract with the city of Indianapolis, allowing them to build an open-air theatre at the southern end of the structure. Indianapolis leased the land from the University, paid the construction costs, and had control of the theatre from around June 15 to September 1, but it was available for University use at other times. Among other events, spring Commencement was held at the theatre for almost twenty years. Designed by Lennox & Matthews & Associates, Inc., the theatre consisted of a 148 by 500 feet theatre stage, which formed a roof over a two story structure, accommodating features such as dressing, rehearsal, and storage rooms; a scenery and prop construction space; and a freight elevator for moving sets and equipment. The structure was renamed the Hilton U. Brown Theatre circa 1963 and from 1955 to 1992 it was the home of Starlight Musicals who produced musicals and concerts each summer. The structure was demolished in 2005, in preparation for the construction of the Apartment Village.
Origin:	1954
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/2909
Collection:	Butler University Buildings and Grounds Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Copyright:	In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Geography:	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 39.843805, -86.166298 39.843805 -86.166298
Subjects:	Construction projects Construction equipment Construction and demolition debris Amphitheaters Theaters Trees Football stadiums Sports facilities Butler University--Buildings, structures, etc. Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History Demolition Hilton U. Brown Theatron Hilton U. Brown Theatre Starlight Musicals Butler Bowl Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl Fairview campus

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