The World's Largest Stage

SPOTLIGHT ON THE SPOKANE REGION

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The World’s Largest Stage

For a time, Spokane had the largest stage theater in the country.  It was named the Auditorium Theater.  Construction began in 1889 by Spokane’s first two millionaires, John Browne and Anthony Cannon, who made their fortunes from real estate, from starting banks, and from opening offices.

Before building, the two men travelled to Chicago to see the then largest theater in the United States—the Chicago Auditorium.  To out do Chicago, Browne and Cannon decided to build their Spokane theater one foot wider and one foot deeper.

The Fire of 1889 struck downtown Spokane during construction of the building, but the five story, red-brick building remained standing.  The Spokane Auditorium was built at Main and Post--where Riverpark Square is today.  The theater was majestic for its time.  The foundation was built with granite from Mount Spokane, it had 17 dressing rooms, and a box-office vestibule lit by stained-glass windows.  Acts from all over the world came to the theater to perform—Al Jolson, Sarah Bernhardt, Anna Held among others.  In 1917, a young Bing Crosby watched Al Jolson perform on the stage. 

In 1890 when construction was finished, the Auditorium Theater was one of the finest west of the Mississippi, and it became Spokane’s cultural and civic center.  From 1890 to 1914, the Auditorium Theater was the largest theater in the United States.  In 1914, the larger New York City Hippodrome Theater was built.

The Auditorium Theater was sold in 1934, and the new owners promptly demolished it.  Partly to blame for the downfall and destruction of the building were the bankruptcy of Cannon, Browne’s fortune being hard hit by the 1893 panic, WWI, the Depression, and the popularity of motion pictures over live theater performances.

The "world's largest stage" became a fond memory for Spokanites who lived during its heyday

Sources:  Spokane Historical app, Spokesman Review May 14, 2012

performances.