Bird Cage Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bird Cage Theatre |
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| General information | |
| Type | Theatre |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Location | Tombstone, Arizona, United States |
| Address | 535 E Allen St |
| Town or city | Tombstone, AZ 85638 |
| Country | US |
| Coordinates | 31°42′43″N 110°3′55″W / 31.71194°N 110.06528°W |
| Opened | December 26, 1881 |
| Closed | 1892; reopened in 1929 for the first Helldorado Days; reopened in 1934 |
The Bird Cage Theatre was a famous theater in Tombstone, Arizona, United States. It opened in December 1881 and was a popular spot for entertainment. The theater closed in 1892 when the local silver mines shut down. It later reopened in 1929 for special events and then again in 1934 as a coffee shop.
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History of the Bird Cage Theatre
The Bird Cage Theatre first opened its doors on December 26, 1881. It was owned by a couple named Lottie and William "Billy" Hutchinson. Billy Hutchinson was a performer who wanted to offer family-friendly shows.
At first, they even had a "Ladies Night" where women could attend for free. However, the town of Tombstone was mainly a mining town. The people there preferred different kinds of entertainment. So, the owners soon changed their shows to appeal more to the miners.
The theater became known for its lively atmosphere. It is said that the walls of the Bird Cage Theatre have many bullet holes. These holes came from various shooting incidents that happened there.
What Kind of Entertainment Was There?
The Bird Cage Theatre hosted many interesting acts. One of the first performers was Mademoiselle De Granville. She was also known as the "Female Hercules." She was famous for her amazing strength. She could lift heavy objects using only her teeth!
Other performers included funny singers and comedians. There were also serious opera singers. The theater even had masquerade balls. These parties sometimes featured entertainers who dressed up in costumes. Miners could enjoy drinks and dance all night long.
Unique Competitions
One popular event at the Bird Cage Theatre was Cornish wrestling competitions. These wrestling matches were so important that their results were even published in newspapers in the United Kingdom!
Magic Shows
Stage magic shows were also a big hit. One magician claimed he could catch bullets with his teeth. He almost got into serious trouble when someone from the audience challenged him. Luckily, he managed to escape safely.
Why the Theatre Closed
In March 1882, miners in the Grand Central Mine faced a big problem. They hit water deep underground. Even with powerful pumps, the water kept coming. This made it hard to get to the silver ore.
The Hutchinsons sold the Bird Cage Theatre to Hugh McCrum and John Stroufe. A new manager, Bignon, took over. He had managed other theaters before. He fixed up the building and renamed it the Elite Theatre. He brought in new performers.
For a few more years, large engines helped pump water out of the mines. But on May 26, 1886, a fire destroyed the main pumping plant at the Grand Central Mine. Soon after, the price of silver dropped. Many mines had to lay off their workers. A lot of people left Tombstone. The Bird Cage Theatre finally closed its doors in 1892.
Is the Bird Cage Theatre Haunted?
Many people believe the Bird Cage Theatre is haunted. It has been featured on several TV shows about paranormal investigations. These shows include Ghost Hunters in 2006 and Ghost Adventures in 2009 and 2015. Other shows like Ghost Lab (2009) and Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files (2011) also explored the theater's spooky stories.
Images for kids
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The Bird Cage circa 1940
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The small rooms where some people worked
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The stage where performers entertained
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The Bird Cage Theatre as a museum today
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The basement poker room
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This bar was placed here in 1935. It is an original bar from Tombstone, though not the first one in the theatre.
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Staircase leading to the box seats
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The dumbwaiter, a small elevator for moving things
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One of the box seats
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The original faro table, used for a card game
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The "honest box" from the faro table
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Another view of a box seat
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The original 1881 rosewood piano sits before the stage
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One of the two downstairs dressing rooms
See also
In Spanish: Bird Cage Theatre para niños
