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The hall is still used, although no longer as a theatre. It has been divided into two large rooms and you can see the outline of where the stage was and look down in the first rooms from the now enclosed balcony.
Casino THEATRE
In early August, 1884, it was announced a roller skating rink was to be erected on the Horton lot on James Street, corner of Henry Street. The leased parcel of land also included a house, part of which would be utilized as a women's dressing room. Six stock holders would own the firm, which would be known as Stivers, Pronk and Company. Plans called for a brick building 60 by 130 feet in size, most of which would be rink space. The rink floor would be hard maple "finished in the best possible manner." R.A. Malone was the mason, A.S. Wells the carpenter.
By August 5, excavation for the foundation had begun. "Central Skating Rink" had been selected for the name. A week later the foundation had been completed and work on the brick walls started. In mid-August, it was announced plans had been modified to include a gallery for spectators. This involved building the walls 20 feet high, rather than 16 feet as originally planned.
In early September the tin roof was put on, gas lighting fixtures were being installed, and the hard maple floor was laid by Alex Merrit, a cabinet maker on James Street. It was decided to call the business the "Casino Skating Rink."
When completed in mid-September, the 21 foot high brick building measured 60 by 125 feet. The main entrance was on James Street, with exits on James and Henry Streets. A ticket office was located to the right of the main entrance, with a lobby which led to the cloak and skate rooms. The skates furnished by vail, brink and Clark, were made by the Union Hardware Co. and described as "the best in the market." A raised platform was located on the south side of the rink, and a balcony extended across the James Street end of the rink which was 11 by 55 feel, accommodating four rows of chairs. The skating floor itself measured 47 by 123 1/2 feet and was of "the best hard maple."
On the Henry Street side was a platform for the band, which was equipped with steps that could "be drawn up as soon as the musicians ( were) in their places." Thirty gas jets illuminated the building, which was noted to be "exceedingly wel1 ventilated." Besides those firms or individuals noted previously, Van Duzer Bros. supplied the gas fixtures., C.H. Worcester did the plumbing, M.I. McCormal did the painting, and the tin roof put on by Vail, Brink and Clark.
The Casino opened Saturday evening, September 20, 1884. Jacob