The Play “Witches of New York” Played in Sandusky in 1871

Albert W. Aiken, who wrote the play “Witches of New York” brought his company of actors to Sandusky, Ohio on November 22, 1871. The play, in which Aiken also starred, appeared at Fisher’s Hall for one night only. Mr. Aiken and the performers in the theatrical production signed the guest book of the West House, where they stayed during their time in our city. The West House register is now on display at the Follett House Museum.

An article which appeared in the November 23, 1871 issue of the Sandusky Register reported that the play was full of sensations, and kept the audience interested. Mr. Aiken is said to have performed his role exceedingly well, and his manner was “far from being stagey.” Mr. Aiken and his company were taking the show to Toledo, Ohio following the performance in Sandusky.

Fisher’s Hall was located at the northwest corner of Wayne and Water Streets in downtown Sandusky. This property is still a vital commercial property in Sandusky today. For many years the street level of the structure was occupied by businesses, and the upper floor was used as a theater. Concerts, lectures and wrestling matches were held at Fisher’s Hall from the 1860s through the 1930s.

Below is a picture of the former Fisher’s Hall (now the Cable Block), taken by then-Follett House curator Helen Hansen in the early 1990s.

Great Western Band Events in the Nineteenth Century

The Great Western Band Carnival was held at the Social Turner’s Hall on February 26, 1889. The February 27, 1889 issue of the Sandusky Register reported that 1,000 people attended the event, which was a Masquerade. Spectators lined the walls and gallery, and several local merchants were also at the big event. Dancers wore brilliantly colored costumes which represented hundred of various characters. Nineteen prizes were given out in a drawing.

Before the Carnival the prizes were on display at J. Krupp & Son’s Furniture Store on Market Street. The Sandusky Register printed the names of all the prize winners. The article began, “If there is one thing more than another that Sandusky prides herself on, it is the Great Western Band, a musical organization that has no peer in Northern Ohio and on the occasion of the band’s annual carnival, citizens attest their appreciation by turning out en masse.”

Ten years earlier, on February 25, 1879, the Great Western Band had sponsored its thirteenth annual Masquerade at Fisher’s Hall.

The program included twenty four numbers that were played, including waltzes, the Virginia Reel, polkas, the Mazurka, and Schottisches. The final number was the Fire Fly Galop.

While no sound recordings exist from the Great Western Band events in 1879 and 1889, by visiting the National Jukebox of the Library of Congress, you can hear examples of the Fire Fly Galop, the Virginia Reel, and several polkas and mazurkas.

Masquerade Party Given by the Knights of the Scissors

On January 21, 1890, the second annual masquerade party given by the Knights of the Scissors was held at Fisher’s Hall. Music was provided by the Great Western Orchestra. Admission was fifty cents for men and twenty five cents for ladies.

Dances included waltzes, polkas, the schottische, and many more. An article in the January 22, 1890 issue of the Sandusky Register reported that two hundred people were at the party, with about half of the guests in masquerade. To date we do not know if the Knights of the Scissors were a labor group, perhaps made up of tailors, or if the group was an informal club.

Miss Olive Logan’s Lecture in Sandusky

Miss Olive Logan gave a lecture on “Girls!” on February 25, 1870 at Fisher’s Hall in Sandusky, at the northwest corner of Wayne and Water Streets. The lecture was sponsored by the Van Tine Business College of Sandusky, also known as the Buckeye and Great Western Business College. Olive Logan was the daughter of actor Cornelius Logan. She was an actress, journalist, and author, and she was popular as a lecturer in the latter half of the nineteenth century.

Six types of girls were the subject of Miss Logan’s lecture. The November 18, 1869 issue of the New York Times featured a story about Olive Logan’s lecture on “Girls.” Speaking of the Yankee and Western girls, Olive stated: “The Yankee girl has strong opinions, and expresses them too. She has also a keen sense of humor. The Western girl is nothing but the Yankee girl let loose.”  Olive said that her favorite of all girls was the strong-minded girl, who “believes in the power of the ballot.” She concluded her lecture by mentioning her trip to England where she saw women performing vile songs and indecent dances. She encouraged her listeners to have “courage for the right.” Sadly, Olive Logan suffered from mental illness in her later years.  She was almost destitute at the time of her death in 1909 in England.

The building formerly known as Fisher’s Hall is now located at 163-165 East Water Street in Sandusky. Ellie Damm wrote in Treasure by the Bay, that John Fisher built this structure in 1866. The first floor was used as an express office for the railroad, and a theater was located on the second floor. Historical newspaper articles report that Fisher’s Hall was renovated in the 1930’s, and many wrestling matches were held here. Former  Follett House Museum curator and local historian Helen Hansen took the photograph below in 1991.