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Minstrel Shows, Opera Stars Appeared in Old Rose Hall
Interested in the early theaters of the city, H.E. Mayhall, whose home is on Lynn Street, contributes the following interesting letter showing that he has followed closely the history of the early theatre in Parkersburg and that others in the city are likewise interested.
Mr. Mayhall's letter follows:
"Dear Miss McBride:
"Since writing the title piece about old-time theaters and plays, I have met several oldsters like myself on the streets and they said that they thought I should have made it more complete by giving names of some of the plays and the names of some of the minstrel company's showing here in those days. As for myself, I thought the article too long as it was. But to please these parties in this letter I will give names of some minstrel groups and also of some plays, the various actors and actresses appeared in. To begin, Mr. Sam McCandless, of Lynn Street, tells me he remembers that Madam Patti (the greatest grand opera singer of those days) sang at Rose Hall. Mr. McCandless also remembered favorably Hi Henry's minstrel with what they advertised as their solid gold band. They did have gold plated instruments and I believe Hi Henry himself played a cornet studded with brilliants which they advertised as diamonds. Mr. McCandless remembers mostly the minstrel troupe and says next to Hi Henry, the Barlow, Primrose and West minstrels were the best. Other minstrel groups I remember were Baird's, Haverly's and Lew Dockstaders.
"Mr. Toni Murphy told me he thought I should have mentioned Julia Hunt in my former article. I had forgotten her but after he mentioned it I remembered that she played in Parkersburg each season for many years in Shakespearian and other plays. I remember she played Romeo and Juliet and Lucretia Borgia and others of the same pattern. Bella Moore played in Fogg's Ferry, Melias and other such soubrette parts. Lotta and Jennie Califf also played Melias and I believe Minnie Maddern (Mrs. Fiske) and Lizzie Evans both appeared in Fogg's Ferry, Maggie Mitchell appeared in Cricket on the Hearth and Bella Moore also appeared in that. Kate Cartleman, I believe, appeared in the Two Orphans and Mr. Murphy tells me he remembers that Julia Hunt also had the Two Orphans in her repertoire. This is all I intend writing on the subject and am writing this to square myself with old-timers whose memories recall things I had forgotten.
"Yours truly, Harry E. Mayhall."
In a second note Mr. Mayhall agrees with H.S. Carpenter in his location of old Bank Hall, perhaps the first theatre, but he does not clearly recall that it was called "Columbia Hall." His communication in regard to that follows:
"Mr. Carpenter is correct in his location of Bank Hall. It was in the building across the alley from Parkersburg National Bank and that bank was in the building now occupied by the Salvation Army [basically across Third Street from the current Oil and Gas Museum.] The last use I know of it was when the Salvation Army held their first meetings in Parkersburg, they were held in that hall. That was in the early eighties [1880s]. After the roller skating craze died down about '85 or '86, I believe the Salvation Army took over the rink at Sixth and Juliana."
The Parkersburg Sentinel
March 31, 1937
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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.