Advertised as "absolutely fireproof, " the Iroquois was Chicago's most modern playhouse when it opened in the fall of 1903. With the approval of the city's building department, theater developers Harry J. Powers and William J. Davis opened the theater prematurely to take full advantage of the holiday crowds, ignoring flagrant safety violations in the process.
The aftermath of the fire proved to be a study in the miscarriage of justice. Despite overwhelming evidence that the building had not been completed, that fire safety laws were ignored, and that management had deliberately sealed off exits during the performance, no one was ever convicted or otherwise held accountable for the enormous loss of life.
Lavishly illustrated and featuring an introduction by Chicago historians Perry R. Duis and Cathlyn Schallhorn, "Chicago"" Death Trap: The IroquoisTheatre Fire of 1903 "is rich with vivid details about this horrific disaster, captivatingly presented in human terms without losing sight of the broader historical context.
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Advertised as "absolutely fireproof, " the Iroquois was Chicago's most modern playhouse when it opened in the fall of 1903. With the approval of the city's building department, theater developers Harry J. Powers and William J. Davis opened the theater prematurely to take full advantage of the holiday crowds, ignoring flagrant safety violations in the process.
The aftermath of the fire proved to be a study in the miscarriage of justice. Despite overwhelming evidence that the building had not been completed, that fire safety laws were ignored, and that management had deliberately sealed off exits during the performance, no one was ever convicted or otherwise held accountable for the enormous loss of life.
Lavishly illustrated and featuring an introduction by Chicago historians Perry R. Duis and Cathlyn Schallhorn, "Chicago"" Death Trap: The IroquoisTheatre Fire of 1903 "is rich with vivid details about this horrific disaster, captivatingly presented in human terms without losing sight of the broader historical context.
Imprint | Southern Illinois University Press |
Country of origin | United States |
Release date | August 2006 |
Availability | Expected to ship within 9 - 15 working days |
First published | August 2006 |
Authors | Nat Brandt |
Introduction by | Perry Duis, Cathlyn Schallhorn |
Dimensions | 159 x 231 x 19mm (L x W x T) |
Format | Paperback |
Pages | 240 |
Edition | New Ed |
ISBN-13 | 978-0-8093-2721-8 |
Barcode | 9780809327218 |
Categories | |
LSN | 0-8093-2721-X |