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SALT LAKE THEATRE
Then came the assignment for drawing the plans and superintending the construction of the Salt Lake Theatre. He must have been requested to draw the plans for the Seventies Hall and the Salt Lake Theatre about the same time, since Hyrum B. Clawson informs us:
"After the plans of William H. Folsom, the Architect (of the Theatre), were approved, work was at once started with Joseph A. Young as superintendent of supplies. May 6, 1861, arrangements for making 250,000 adobes were completed. The first rock was hauled June 20, and the building was started the first of July. By August 21 the following workmen were at work on the building: Sixteen diggers, under William Woolstenhulme; eight stone cutters, under Alexander Gillespie; three millwrights, under Henry Grow; and fifteen carpenters, under Joseph Schofield. At this time the water table was up and the stone work four feet high. The power for hoisting the rock and timber was supplied by an under-shot wheel placed over a water ditch. This wheel connected with a shaft and gearing." (Carter, Our Pioneer Heritage, 5:223.)
John Sharp and his brother Joseph were in charge of hauling the rock from Red Butte Canyon for the Theatre. A bowery was built in the northwest corner of the site, where the lumber was stacked. Joseph Schofield (foreman) and his associates formed the sections for the truss roof, also the King and Queen posts.
This truss roof was the first of its kind built in Salt Lake City. Round wooden pegs one and one-half inches thick, varying in length, were covered with glue and inserted in augured holes to hold the truss together and in place. Some square nails were used, but nails have a tendency to split lumber and could not be used on some parts of the building.
Although William H. Folsom drew the plans, computed the amount and type of material and supervised most of the work of erection, there were many skilled artisans who assisted. Credit is due them for their contributions of labor.
"William H. Folsom was the first stage mechanic. He was assisted by stage carpenters William Hunt, George Quinn, James Van Tassel and George Laub. Others employed later were Peter Reid, Hyrum P. Folsom, and James Evans. These men built the scenery and arranged it." (Our Pioneer Heritage, 5:232.)
Notwithstanding these men worked diligently and overtime, the Theatre was not completely finished for the dedication, which had been scheduled for March 6, 1862. This may have been due, in part, to the heavy snowstorm on January 8, 1862, which brought greatly needed moisture for the water supply in the Valley, but definitely impeded progress on the Theatre.
When the time of dedication arrived, it was customary then, as now, for the architect of the building to submit a report to the Authorities. Following is the report on the Salt Lake Theatre sent to the First Presidency of the Church by William H. Folsom:
"The building was commenced July 1, 1861, and completed, for temporary use, March 5, 1862. The building is situated on the corner of the State Road and First South Street. The size of the building on the ground floor is 80 X 144 feet, 40 feet high from the water table to the square of the building. The roof is self supporting and hipped all around, with a promenade on top, 40 X 90 feet. The south main entrance has an opening of 32 X 20 feet supported by two Grecian Doric Columns. The exterior of the building is Grecian Doric. The auditorium has a parquet and four circles, 60 feet on the outer circle, 37 on the inner and covered with a circular dome in ogee or bell form. In the interior, the stage has an opening at the drop curtain of 31 feet front by 28 feet high, shows 27 feet in flats and 62 feet deep from footlights, 10 feet proscenium and 40 feet high from stage floor to ceiling. The building is still in progress and will probably be completed the present season."