Historic Colorado Springs City Auditorium 221 East Kiowa Street Colorado Springs, CO 80903

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History

History of the Historic Colorado Springs City Auditorium

"Therefore, when we build let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight, nor for present use only; let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them: "See, this our father did for us." - Ruskin

With these words, printed in the program for the ceremony, the cornerstone of the Municipal Auditorium, was laid on Thursday afternoon, October 19, 1922 at 2:30 PM. The cost was $424,810.32, paid for by a bond issue, voted on and approved, by the voters of Colorado Springs

The co-architects were Chas. E. Thomas and MacLaren & Hetherington

The Municipal Band played and there was music and four addresses by prominent citizens, including Hon. Chas. E Thomas, Grand Orator, Hon. Ira Harris, Mayor, Hon. Oliver H. Shoup, Governor and Dr. J. H. Franklin, of New York City.

The building was completed and opened to the public, in 1923. It was dedicated to the "Use of the People and the Glory of the City.", as permanently inscribed into the stage proscenium.

The Municipal Auditorium is the last Classic Revival Building, built in Colorado Springs.

Over the years many events have been held at the City Auditorium (as it is now fondly called.)

• Graduations were and are still being held there.

• It was the site for conventions, including the National Jaycee Convention in 1949.

• The Shrine Circus (complete with three rings, trapeze artists and elephants.)

• The Harlem Globetrotters frequently played basketball there.

• The USO headquartered there, during World War II.

• Paderewski gave concerts.

• Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontaine performed there

• Sergei Rachmaninoff, (Composer and pianist), performed at City Auditorium

• Political Speeches and rallies have been held there.

• John Philip Sousa and his band performed for the public.

• The first Fall Festival, complete with a feed and grain show, with live chickens and rabbits, in cages, was held in 1925, when the auditorium was only two years old, and several years after that date.

• Various Jehovah's Witness groups have rented the City Auditorium for over forty consecutive years, often several times a year.

• Between 1950 and 1978, the building hosted all of the popular music artist concerts for the community and continues to host the majority, to this date.

• Trade shows, antique fairs, coin shows, cat and dog fanciers shows and many other events are held there AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

• Handbell festivals, symphony and Theatre Pipe Organ concerts, sports events and so much more.

• Country Music Grand Ole Opry shows were held there from the late 1950's to the early 1980's with stars such as Johnny Cash, June Carter, Buck Owens, George Jones, Johnny Horton, Willie Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Kitty Wells, Faron Young. Johnny and Jack, Wilborn Brothers, Marty Robbins, Bill Anderson, Ray Price and many more of the old Country Music Stars of yesterday. Information supplied by Mr. George James, formerly with KPIK Radio Station, and a former City Council member.

• The City Auditorium was the heart of the city and still is being used by over 150,000 people per year.
  
  The Pikes Peak Area Theatre Organ society has maintained the 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, which was installed after the Burns (Chief) Theatre was demolished.
  
  Sacklunch Serenades, which include Theatre organ music and silent films, accompanied by the organ, (as they were originally meant to be shown), are weekly events, from May through August, and again, in December.

• May 2008, begins 14 years of Sacklunch Serenades.
  These programs are free for everyone.
  The schedule is listed under the Calendar heading of this web site.

The City Auditorium is still a very viable and affordable venue and the only one in Colorado Springs, capable of hosting the wide variety of events held there.

With the Lon Chaney Theatre as a smaller venue within the auditorium, the versatility is further enhanced. The Star Bar Players, a community theatre group,has been performing in the Lon Chaney Theatre for 30+ years. The theatre has also become the resident home for two children's theatre groups and one religious organization.

Currently, our Friends organization is spearheading a complete renovation of the Lon Chaney Theatre, to include a memorial showcase, honoring Lon Chaney.

We are in the process of writing a historical booklet about the City Auditorium and would like to have any remembrances or input from those who remember being there for events.

As we enter the eighty-fifth year of the City Auditorium, we will continue to advocate improvements to the facility and maintain it with the care and love it deserves.

Robert C. Lillie, Vice President
Friends of the Historic Colorado Springs City Auditorium Inc.

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http://www.historiconline.org/history.html Updated March24, 2008