Going to the Coliseum Theater in 1909, Phoenix, Arizona


I've lived in Phoenix for a long time, and when I hear someone mention the Coliseum, I think of the building on the fairgrounds, you know, the "Madhouse on McDowell". But there was another Coliseum in Phoenix, which was at 1st Street and Monroe, and since I found this 1909 ad, I thought it would be fun if we would time-travel back there and take in a show.

I found this ad on the Library of Congress site, and the date is October 25, 1909. Note that there's no address given, because in 1909 Phoenix wasn't very big - and everyone knew where the Coliseum was. Especially people who liked Vaudeville!

I'm familiar with the term Vaudeville, but of course it's way before my time, so I'll find us a definition. Hang on a sec. Here we go:

"a type of entertainment popular chiefly in the US in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of specialty acts such as burlesque comedy and song and dance."

I'm up for it, let's go! According to the ad, this is the last chance to see this excellent show. The stars are: Lottie O'Malley,  Boss & Clare, and Jones & Walton. I just tried Googling them, found nothin'. If you know about them, please let me know!

Hang on a second, on Tuesday night there will be a big vaudeville show. There will be the Karthoven Quartette, Stanley & Weaver Wire Act, and Chas. H. Saunders, the Man of the Hour! I'll see if I can find more about these people, too!


Here's the only pic I have of the Coliseum. You're standing on 1st Street looking northwest, and Monroe would be on your right. On your left is Melinda's Alley, where the photo was burned. I don't have an exact date for this photo. And for you serious Phoenix history buffs, the Coliseum was next door to Steinegger's, which is gone, too.


Note that the ad says, "Roof on Coliseum makes this theater warm and comfortable these cool evenings", which is true in Phoenix in October. But since there was no air conditioning back then, I doubt that anyone had any interest in going to the theater in the summertime!

Article about the new roof in 1909 (lower left).



Thank you for visiting the Coliseum in 1909 with me!
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