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Pretty 'Orpheus' Opens Thanksgiving


Vernal Express, 24 November 1911, page 1

The beautiful new amusement hall will be opened to the public, Thanksgiving night. The managers have named it the “Orpheus.”

“Orpheus,” in Greek mythology was the famous mythical Thracian poet son of the Muse Calliope, husband of Burydice, and a famous musician [missing word] is reputed to have had power to entrance men, beasts, and inanimate objects by the music of his lyre. He is called as well the god of Mirth.

The Orpheus is a very pretty building, viewed from its interior. The walls are tinted light green, the ceiling cream. The effect is most pleasing. The manner of ceiling construction gives one the restful, happy feeling and gives promise of excellent acoustic properties. Over the west entrance is built the orchestra and visitors balcony, underneath which on the right is the ticket office and check rooms, also chests for roller skating paraphernalia, etc. On the left is a commodious ladies parlor. The east end will accommodate the staging. This part is not yet completed, but will be ready as a spectators gallery for the Thanksgiving opening. Too much cannot be said in praise of the Orpheus if its acoustics make good their promise. A speaker may now be distinctly heard in any part of the auditorium, even when it is empty, and singers have tried it with equally good results. If this feature proves out as it seems it will, the popularity of the place is ensured. But no less important as a winner of public approval and intrinsic worth to the Orpheus is its wonderful maple, spring floor. A big force of carpenters have been putting this part of the equipment in place and now the finishers with plane scraping glass and sand paper are putting on the finishing polish.