Tombstone in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Bird Cage Theatre

1881

Photographed by James Hulse, June 16, 2024

1. The Bird Cage Theatre Marker

Inscription. The Bird Cage Theatre was built in 1881 by Billy and Lottie Hutchinson on the site of the killing of Marshal Fred White. After the fire of 1881, it became the only other theatre in Tombstone except Schieffelin Hall. It quickly became a first class variety theatre, bringing professional artists and performers to Tombstone. Many came from San Francisco. Among the favorites were Jim and Lola Holly, Pearl Ardine, Irene Osborn and Eddie Foy. Hutchinson was a showman, sometimes staging his own little dramas for the entertainment of the audience. There was a heckler who was "shot" and his body thrown on the stage. The "body" was made of straw. It was very successful, for a time, bringing vaudeville and burlesque shows to the city. The Bird Cage has had different names over the years, including the Elite and the Olympic, but closed as a theatre in 1892. It has been a museum for a number of years and is the original 1881 building.

Captions
Photo Courtesy of Arizona Historical Society/Tucson #29946

Erected 2010 by Tombstone Restoration Commission. (Marker Number 31.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this

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topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 31° 42.718′ N, 110° 3.913′ W. Marker is in Tombstone, Arizona, in Cochise County. It is at the intersection of East Allen Street and South 6th Street, on the left when traveling west on East Allen Street. The marker is located in front of the old theater. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 535 E Allen St, Tombstone AZ 85638, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sky Islands

and in Southeastern Arizona.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Bird Cage Theatre (here, next to this marker); Curly Bill Brocius Killed Marshal Fred White Here (a few steps from this marker); M. Calisher General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Wells Fargo & Company (within shouting distance

The Bird Cage Theatre Marker is the right side marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 16, 2024

2. The Bird Cage Theatre Marker is the right side marker

of this marker); Tombstone, Arizona (within shouting distance of this marker); The Oriental Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); City Marshall Virgil Earp (within shouting distance of this marker); Owl Cafe and Tourist Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tombstone.

Also see . . . Bird Cage Theatre. Wikipedia

The Bird Cage Theatre opened on December 26, 1881. It was owned by Lottie and William "Billy" Hutchinson. Hutchison, a variety performer, originally intended to present respectable family shows like he'd seen in San Francisco that were thronged by large crowds. After the Theatre opened, they hosted a Ladies Night for the respectable women of Tombstone, who could attend for free. But the economics of Tombstone didn't support their aspirations. They soon canceled the Ladies Night and began offering baser entertainment that appealed to the rough mining crowd.

(Submitted on June 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Bird Cage Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 16, 2024

3. The Bird Cage Theatre

2nd marker out front of the Bird Cage Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 16, 2024

4. 2nd marker out front of the Bird Cage Theatre

A stagecoach running in front of the Bird Cage Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 16, 2024

5. A stagecoach running in front of the Bird Cage Theatre

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 642 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.