Powell Symphony Hall
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Powell Symphony Hall is the home of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. It was named after Walter S. Powell, a local St. Louis businessman, whose widow donated $1 million towards the purchase and use of this hall by the symphony. The hall seats 2,689 people.
In 2001, the building was entered in the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents |
[edit] History
The building was originally called The St. Louis Theater. It was built in 1925, designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Rapp & Rapp. The theater spent the first 40 years of its existence as a stage for live vaudeville performances as well as motion pictures. The last movie shown in the old theater was The Sound of Music in 1966. At that time, the building was acquired by the Symphony Society for $500,000, through a gift from Oscar Johnson, Jr.. After spending an additional $2 million to update and renovate the theater, the hall re-opened in January of 1968 as the new home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
The building is said to be haunted by the ghost of a man named George. He is often seen in a white suit and white hat and is thought to be that of a former vaudevillian. He is said to often play with the lights and the elevators.
[edit] Location
Powell Symphony Hall
718 North Grand Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63103
