Hippodrome Theater

Wabash Valley profiles : a series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history

Description:	One typed page including photograph; brief history of the Hippodrome Theater at the southwest corner of Eighth and Ohio streets. Individuals mentioned include John Eberson, Theodore W. Barhydt, Samuel M. Ralston, Blorence Bain, Nina Morris, Evnette Asoria, Joseph M. Finn, Marcus Heiman, Asher levy, Martin Beck, Edward Albee, A. Paul Keith, Al Jolson, Valeska Suratt, Blossom Seeley, Ralph Bellamy. ABASH VALLEY WP R O F I L E SA series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history.Hippodrome Theaterfficially opened Feb. 15, 1915, the Hippodrome Theater at the southwest corner of Eighth and Ohio streets was referred to by New York vaudeville barons as a magnificent temple of amusement. Even esteemed Austrian-born theater architect John Eberson of Chicago, who designed the German Renaissance structure, expressed unbounded satisfaction with the result. The new theater was the brainchild of Theodore W. Barhydt who came to Terre Haute in 1897 to assume the management of the Grand Opera House and, later, managed the Lyric and Varieties theaters. Indiana Gov. Samuel M. Ralston and his wife were special guests for the grand opening and were seated in the box draped with an American flag on the west side of the theater. The orchestra played Hail to the Chief and Paul Dressers On the Banks of the Wabash before the chief executive made some enthusiastic extemporaneous remarks. Among the talents in the troupe performing for the occasion were Neptunes Nymphs, Spencer and Williams Comedy Co., Florence Bain, Nina Morris and chanteuse Mademoiselle Evnette Asoria. Several vaudeville barons were present, including Joseph M. Finn, Marcus Heiman and Asher Levy of the Finn-Heiman circuit, the firm responsible for arranging the show. Telegrams were received from Martin Beck, Edward Albee, A. Paul Keith and other vaudeville moguls. Many of the worlds finest entertainers appeared at the Hippodrome in its first 15 years, including Al Jolson, Valeska Suratt, Blossom Seeley and Ralph Bellamy. In 1920 Barhydt sold the theater to the Keith-Albee vaudeville circuit and collaborated with Eberson once again to build the Indiana Theater. In the late 1920s, when vaudevilles popularity began to ebb as the success of motion pictures increased, KeithAlbee merged with the Orpheum Circuit, forming the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Circuit. Films soon became the primary form of entertainment at the great vaudeville houses. Until 1948 the Hippodrome was the home of the Community Theatre of Terre Haute and the theater was used for legitimate stage performances and special events. Portions of the Hippodrome building were rented for offices. In 1949 the theater was converted into the Wabash Theater for motion pictures. In December 1956 the former Hippodrome was acquired by the Scottish Rite, which opened its Cathedral and Museum in 1957. The building is well maintained and may be toured by appointment. It may be Terre Hautes best-kept architectural secret and is one of fewer than 20 Eberson-designed theaters remaining in America.OTERRE HAUTE(812) 238-6000NATIONAL BANKAlways Close to HomeDate published: April 26, 2001Filename: Hippodrome profile
Origin:	2001-04-25
Created By:	McCormick, Mike
Publisher:	Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/vchs/id/542
Collection:	Vigo County Historical Society
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	Theaters Vaudeville shows Motion picture theaters Community theater Museum buildings Galleries & museums Cathedrals Business & Industry Social Life Architecture

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