On January 31, 1901, the Coates Opera House, Kansas City’s original first-class theater, met a fate common among nineteenth-century theaters when it burned to the ground. 

Boiler rooms for heating, hot gas or electric stage lights, and large crowds crammed into small spaces made theatergoing a distinct fire hazard.

The 31-year-old building burned to the ground shortly following the performance of Heart and Sword, starring Walker Whiteside and Leilia Wolstan. Had the two actors performed the longer Hamlet, as originally scheduled, hundreds of occupants would have been in danger. Fortunately, no one was harmed in the disaster as the actors who remained in the building broke through windows to escape.

There were no fatalities, but other losses were heavy. Whiteside’s touring company lost thousands of dollars worth of props and costumes. More devastating to Kansas City was the loss of the opera house that served as the symbolic center of culture in "Cow Town" for three decades.

Read the rest of the story at KCHistory.org.