THE GREAT AUDITORIUM
In the 1890's the Chautauqua meetings begun by the Lutheran
Church were holding summer meetings in an area formerly known as
Lloyd's Park on the northeast side of Dixon. These meetings of the
Rock River Assembly grew so large in church members and visitors
attending that within a few years a larger auditorium was needed.
In 1899 the erection and dedication of the "Great Auditorium", as
it was named, was the highlight of that years meeting. It was then
advertised as "the greatest occasion the Assembly will ever have." It
was also declared at that time to be "the finest and most completely
adapted building for Chautauqua purposes on this continent." The
building was built by R. J. Bennett of Chicago, and reported to be
the first of its kind built in America, with a total cost of
$7,000.00.
Morrison Vail of Dixon was the architect. Mr. Vail was born in
Chicago in 1866 and received his education at Northwestern University
and the Chicago Art Institute. He did architectural designs for the
City of Chicago and in later years moved to Dixon to open a office
here. He invented the truss construction used in the large auditorium
which made possible the large building without the use of center
posts. The building was circular in shape with its perimeter
measuring 500 feet and a diameter of 160 feet. The posts were 20 feet
in length and the roof rose to 24 feet higher in the center with a
cupola above. The entire building with the exception of the stage
area had doors which could be opened upwards to a height of 7 feet so
as to provide light, ventilation, and easy access into and out of the
building.
The rostrum (platform) area was 64 feet wide and more than 20
feet deep providing ample room for speakers and programs to appear.
Behind the rostrum and rising in amphitheater style were seats for
300 to 400 people. There was located at each end of the platform a
room where speakers or entertainers could stay until their time to
appear. Circling around the rostrum with converging aisles were seats
for 5,000 people.
The ground area was level for 50 to 60 feet and then it gradually
sloped 5 feet higher to the outside seats. Every seat had an
excellent view of the stage area, since the auditorium was built
without a single post to obstruct the view. A row of windows part of
the way up the roof provided ample light and could be opened for
additional ventilation.
The auditorium featured many noted dignitaries and entertainers
throughout the world, such as Billy Sunday, a fiery revival speaker;
William Jennings Bryan, statesman and author; and Mme. Ernestine
Schumann-Heink, the most famous contralto singer in the early 1900's.
The building was used for a variety of local events and Dixon High
School graduation exercises were held there until the present high
school was built in 1929. But during the 1920's and 30's the Assembly
meetings saw a decline in attendance and with the rising costs of
entertainers and maintenance of its buildings and grounds, it was not
long before the Assembly would eventually sell its buildings and
property.
In April of 1939, Edward Holbrook bought the auditorium and
opened it as a roller rink. Mr. Holbrook installed a hard maple floor
for the roller rink, which was quite costly for the time but it was
extremely strong and made an excellent surface for the many people
who would for a decade enjoy roller skating at the "Dome" as it was
called by the skaters. I'm sure many residents of this area have fond
memories of skating at the Dome. A favorite during those years was
Orland "Doc" Toole who played the organ music during skating
sessions. Special events, and birthday parties could reserve the Dome
after the regular hours ended in the evening. Additionally the
building contained a shop area where skates were sold, repaired, and
checked if needed. A snack bar was installed and became a favorite
social spot for the skaters to take a break.
What a sad day it was on November 23, 1949 when the Dome was
destroyed by fire. The fire which started a few minutes after the
building was closed at 10:45 p.m. could be seen for miles. It was
believed the fire was started by an oil burner used to heat the
building. Since the structure was primarily built with wood the
flames consumed it within 30 minutes. A unique structure, whose walls
had served to hold many thousands of people who came to be
entertained and enjoy themselves, was gone forever.
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