The Hippotheatron

On the same lot previously occupied by Nixon's Alhambra was built "The Hippotheatron." The building was heated by steam. It was opened Feb. 8, 1864, with the following equestrian company: Mme. Marie Macarte, the Sherwood Family, Nat Austin (clown), Dan Gardner (clown), Sam Lathrop (clown), Wm. Kincade, Chas. Conrad, Richard Hemmings, C. W. Parker, Horace Nichols (ring master), James Cooke clown and manager, Eliza Gardner, Mr. Denzer. Mme. Denue also appeared the first night. Eaton Stone appeared here Feb. 15. Henry Cooke and his performing dogs and monkeys came Feb. 22. This was announced as the first appearance of the company in America, which was incorrect, as they were travelling through the country with a circus and were here the previous summer. Eaton Stone was the first bareback rider in this country and was the first equestrian to introduce somersaulting backwards, through hoops and over poles and banners, from the back of his horse while it was under full speed. M. Verrecke (first appearance in America), gymnast, Mary Carroll (afterwards Mrs. Ben Maginley), who died Aug. 18, 1874, and a company of Arabs were in the organization. The building was constructed of corrugated and ridged iron, and was fireproof. It was built after the model of the Champs Elysees, Paris. The main building was one hundred and ten feet in diameter, and the dome rose to the height of seventy-five feet, surmounted by a cupola. The iron roof was affixed to heavy timber posts. The main supports of the dome were a series of columns surmounted by richly ornamented caps. These columns were also cased with corrugated iron. There were three distinct places for the auditors - the orchestra seats, dress circle, and the pit, with a wide promenade in the rear, around the entire circle of seats. The orchestra seats were composed of arm sofas, for which seventy-five cents was charged. There were six hundred of these. In the rear was the dress circle, in which there was seating capacity for five hundred persons. The pit could accommodate, comfortably seated, six hundred people. In addition to this, there was standing room in the promenade and other parts of the house capable of accommodating six hundred men, making standing room for fourteen hundred persons, and, when crowded, two thousand could be packed away. The ring was the largest (with the exception of a travelling show) ever used in the United States, being forty-three feet six inches, which is one foot six inches larger than Astley's in London, and six inches bigger than the Cirque Napoleon at Paris. There were two ring entrances exactly opposite one another; this item alone was a great improvement, both for spectacular pieces and for battoute leaping. There were two entrances to the building, the chief one being a beautiful portico in the shape of an Italian arch twenty-three feet high and twenty-two feet in width; within was an interior vestibule twelve feet in depth, with wreathed columns and four niches, in which statues were placed. Over this entrance was the band, which was the dividing line between the twenty-five and fifty centres.

Spalding & Rogers' Circus Co., just returned from a two years' cruise in the seaports of Brazil, Buenos Ayres, Montevideo, and the West Indies, etc., took possession of this house April 25, 1864. A new roof was built, and they continued for four weeks, closing May 21. On Oct. 3 James M. Nixon commenced as manager, but he closed June 10, 1865. Was reopened for the winter season Sept. 25, 1865. Lewis B. Lent was manager, and Nat Austin director of amusements. In the company were El Nino Eddie, the Delevanti Brothers, G. F. Batchelor, T. Carpenter, Master Ashton, H. Bernard, R. Rivers, Nat. Austin, Frank Whittaker, W. H. Young, F. Ashton, Ed. Croueste (clown), Mlles. Ellsler, Minnie Grey, Soyer, Flora, H. Soyer, Mr. Hankins, and Mr. Carpenter. Dick Platt (who was the owner of the establishment) disposed of it to Mr. Lent in October, who changed the title of it to "LENT'S NEW YORK CIRCUS," Nov. 6. He continued the season until May 27, 1866. It was reopened by Mr. Lent Sept. 24, 1866. It had been announced to open on Sept. 11, but the epizootic prevailed to such an extent among the horses that he was compelled to defer it. During the summer recess many improvements were made in the building. The earth had been excavated, the ring and surrounding seats lowered, and a hanging gallery added, thereby materially increasing the seating capacity of the auditorium. Underneath the raised seats the dens of animals and museum curiosities were placed. The front entrance was materially improved by alterations, and a large false front, entirely concealing the iron building from view, was erected and covered with large oil paintings, characteristic of the entertainments within, and the season terminated May 4, 1867. During this period Carlotta De Berg, James Robinson, Ed. Croueste, Joe Pentland, Nat Austin, Richard Rivers, Robert Stickney, El Nino Eddie, James Melville and his family, Frank Conrad, the Levantine Brothers (one of the Levantine Brothers is now known as Frederick F. Proctor, manager of the many popular priced theatres, and formerly partner with H. R. Jacobs), the Runnells Family, James Madigan, and others appeared. Lewis B. Lent died in this city, May 26, 1887.

This place was reopened as "THE HIPPOTHEATRON, " April 17, 1869, by Professor Risley, with a specialty company consisting of the Spanish ballet dancers, Azella Agouste, G. W. jester, W. Hamilton, Lelia and Florence, Emma Alford, Clara Vernon, Sydney Franks, and Prof. Tanner. A benefit for the George Holland Fund took place Jan. 9, 1871. The receipts were $113.75.

George Kelly, for a longtime considered the champion leaper of America, made his first appearance in this city here Feb. 6. He has "cleared" fifteen horses from the spring board on many occasions. As soon as Mr. Kelly was announced to appear, a "job" was put up among a few forming a clique at this establishment that he should not have a fair show. On the evening of his debut, the leaping act had commenced, and one of the leapers made his “run," when the wildest kind of applause rent the air, and he was cheered again and again. Mr. Kelly had no sooner commenced his "run" than he was met with hisses and other marks of derision. He was naturally nervous on a first night, and, in consequence, made several misses. The crowd continued to hiss him, and he retired, closing his engagement that night.

Jule Kent, the clown, made his debut March 20. The season closed April 22.

Mr. Lent continued as manager until the summer of 1872, when it was sold to P. T. Barnum, who opened it Nov. 18 of that year. It was destroyed by fire Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1872. Fire was first discovered at four o'clock in the morning. The walls of the building, which were of thin corrugated iron, became quickly heated by the fierce flames at their base, and helped not only to spread flames, but engendered so great a heat that the firemen could not enter the building. The animals in their cages began to show signs of fear, and their excitement increased with the noise and heat of the fire. They dashed with terrific force against the sides of their cages, vainly endeavoring to regain their liberty. There were three elephants in the building, confined by chains fastened to the floor. As the fire grew hotter the bears, lions, and leopards were seen with their paws endeavoring to wrench the iron bars of their cages asunder, and, as the flames or heat prevented their keepers from rescuing them, they were abandoned to their fate. None of the keepers had the keys of any of the cages, otherwise some of the animals could have been saved. All the performers lost their wardrobes, and all the dresses which had been made for “Bluebeard” were likewise consumed. A number of valuable trained dogs belonging to Charles White were also burned.

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