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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-12-31, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 Opportunity Awaits You. Multimedia Journalist Sun Media is looking an energetic and enthusiastic person to join our editorial team as a multimedia journalist with the Huron Expositor in Seaforth. The successful applicant will cover events in and around Seaforth for our print publications and website. There is opportunity for advancement within Sun Media. Qualifications: • The desired applicant will have strong writing and photography skills and be able to cover a broad spectrum of community events. • Coordinate with company paginators on the completion of paper layout • A degree or diploma in Journalism is preferred, but applicants with writing backgrounds will be given consideration • Must have a reliable vehicle. • There will be some evening and weekend assignments. Interested and qualified applicants should forward their resume before January 16, 2015 to: Dave Flaherty, Editor The Goderich Signal Star 120 Huckins St. Goderich, ON N7A 3X8 Email: dave.flahertyasunmedia.ca We thank in advance all applicants for their interest. Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. No phone calls or agencies please. Sun Media Corporation is committed to employment equity and an inclusive, barrier -free selection process and work environment. Sun Media encourages applications from women, aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. 'SUN MEDIA. 4 11•Rmil Yr.1.1 Roa-T History remembered: The Cardno Music Hall, 1877-1952 David Yates, for the Expositor The Cardno Music Hall is consid- ered the great architectural 'orna- ment' of Seaforth's Main Street Within its stately walls, genera- tions came to be both enter- tained and enlightened by every- thing from racy Vaudeville comedy to temperance sermons. During times of national crisis and celebration, the hall was the community's rallying point. For 75 years, Cardno Hall was the area's cultural capital. Alexander Cardno was a 50 -year- old Scottish immigrant, who had dabbled in businesses in St. Mary's and Clinton before settling in Sea - forth as a grocer, tailor and pork packer. Isabelle Campbell in 'The Story of Seaforth' (1966) said Cardno 'had stick -to -it qualities' that allowed him to see opportunity in disaster. After a fire in September 1876 which destroyed 12 acres of Seaforth's downtown core, Cardno purchased the property on the west side of Main Street to erect his music hall. In July, 1877, he removed an old hotel to a vacant lot on John Street to make room for 'a better and more ornamental' structure, according to the Huron Expositor. Built in the Second Empire style, 'The Belden Atlas' (1879) described the two storey white brick edifice with a swept Mansard roof and basement as 'a very hand- some design' and not to be seen in any city or town in the country. An 1878 account pronounced Cardno Hall as the handsomest public hall in this part of Canada, with its tall arched windows and slate roof capped by a bell tower. The bell tower clock was added as an afterthought. While construction was well under way in September, the Expositor wondered about the propriety of having erected in the tower of Mr. Cardno's new building a suitable town clock because it would add much to the attrac- tions of the town. Indeed, the four faces of the clock were said to be visible for miles beyond the town. In December, the clock, made in Troy, New York, was installed in the tower along with an 800 pound bronze bell cast in Bos- ton. The clock and bell tower added another $1,000 to the hefty sum of $30,000 Cardno spent in erecting the hall. When the hall was officially christened on Dec. 15, 1877, an enthusiastic audience packed into the 600 -seat hall to hear Mayor Thomas Coleman dedi- cate it. It was the public's first look beyond the archway entrance that led up 22 steps to the spacious performance hall. A large dining hall in the rear made it an ideal spot for holding banquets and receptions. The hall's broad balcony was supported by elegant Corinthian columns. The lighting was sup- plied by natural gas produced in the hall's basement. Misses Alexander and Zimmerman gave a musical recital and a comedy routine by Master Fred- die Foster provided the even- ing's entertainment. In the absence of a local cler- gyman, who backed out of the christening ceremony at the last moment, Mr. M. P. Hayes, a local banker, sprinkled the walls and stage with sparkling champagne. Hayes assured the audience the hall's elegance would be an encouragement and an induce- ment to bring into our midst the better and more elevating class of amusements, and the most tal- ented artists in the country. In January 1878, the hall's first play was staged when the Seaforth Dramatic Club performed 'Uncle Tom's Cabin: Hand painted scen- ery and a thrilling narrative acted out before a full house guaranteed that Cardno's Music Hall was a smash hit. The play 'Ten Nights in a Barroom' warning about the evils of drink ensured that the hall had the moral approval of the influential Women's Christian Temperance Union. At only $15 per night's rental, Cardno envisioned that his music hall would be booked regu- larly by both local and itinerant acts. Before moving film, radio and television, Cardno's Music Hall was the main entertainment venue in the area. Queen Victo- ria's Golden Jubilee and Dia- mond Jubilee celebrations were held at Cardno Hall. The area's lead statesmen held political rallies at the hall. During the Great War, Cardno Hall was used by the Red Cross and other patriotic societies to mobilize the local war effort. One of the most popular fund raising events of the era were black faced Minstrel shows which raised funds for various causes. Operatic concerts, Gypsy shows, wandering lecturers, travelogues, magic lantern shows, religious revivals, strong man acts and med- ical professors promoting miracle cures all trod the boards Cardno Hall's stage. A 1928 article in the Stratford Beacon Herald recalled that all the best that was then on the road came to Cardno's. The Presidium drop curtain that currently hangs over the stage witnessed some of the greatest issues in Canadian his- tory, such as conscription, pro- hibition, and votes for women debated beneath it. At the Great War's end, a well -attended ser- vice of Thanksgiving was held at the hall in November 1918. The GreatWar was, perhaps, the high point for music hall entertain- ment. Although there was still a demand for live entertainment, movie houses and radio provided cheaper and more accessible forms of entertainment. As Cardno Hall began to show its age, maintenance of the bell tower and clock became more of a chore. Seaforth businessman, Ed Daly, recounted 'vivid memo- ries' of the old hall in a 1984 'The London Free Press' interview. For ten years, Daly, the local clock maker's son, climbed into the tower every Saturday when he was a youngster in the 1930s to wind the clock and bell chime. In 1952, the appropriately named 'Crossroads' was the last live play staged at Cardno Hall. Indeed, the old hall was at a crossroads as it has been re -purposed as commercial space for businesses ranging from Bell Telephone to Stedman's Department store. One constant is that the hall remains a 'handsome ornament' to the Town of Seaforth. Thanks, in large part, to Chris and Kevin Cardno, the fifth generation of the Cardno family, who continue to preserve one of the most impor- tant architectural and cultural treas- ures in Ontario. IIREICTORY CIII..i- RCH You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS CHURCH 21 Jarvis St., Seaforth Rector The Rev. Karine Snowdon Rectory 519-482-9071 Church Office 519-527-1522 SUNDAY, JANUARY 4th Epiphany Sunday • Blessing of the Doors Worship a 9:30 am Join us for King's Cake EVERYONE WELCOME EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Pastor Steve Hildebrand Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura WORSHIP JANUARY 4th, 10:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School @ 10:30 a.m. For more information view our web site wwwegmondvilleunitedchurch.com and Like us on Facebook. ST. JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Welcomes You 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 519-345-2972 Sun. Mass 11 a.m. ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN Sat. Mass 5 p.m. • Sun. Mass 9 a.m. FR. BRIAN McCOLL NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH MINISTER MARY FLETCHER Welcomes You SUNDAY, JANUARY 4th Happy New Year 2015 Sunday School Nursery Provided 54 Goderich St., W 519-527-1449 6k• www.cavannorthsideunited.ca ,g+ '1 BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Rev. Mark Kennedy Sunday Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 9:45 a.m. Tuesday Evenings Youth Groups - Junior & Senior High 6:30 to 9 p.m. Boys & Girls Club 7 p.m. Wednesdays 7 p.m. Men's & Women's Bible Study & EVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Rev. Rob Congram Lorrie Mann - Organist SUNDAY, JANUARY 4th, 11:00 a.m. Happy New Year Sunday School .6,‘. Nursery Provided as Needed History remembered: The Cardno Music Hall, 1877-1952 David Yates, for the Expositor The Cardno Music Hall is consid- ered the great architectural 'orna- ment' of Seaforth's Main Street Within its stately walls, genera- tions came to be both enter- tained and enlightened by every- thing from racy Vaudeville comedy to temperance sermons. During times of national crisis and celebration, the hall was the community's rallying point. For 75 years, Cardno Hall was the area's cultural capital. Alexander Cardno was a 50 -year- old Scottish immigrant, who had dabbled in businesses in St. Mary's and Clinton before settling in Sea - forth as a grocer, tailor and pork packer. Isabelle Campbell in 'The Story of Seaforth' (1966) said Cardno 'had stick -to -it qualities' that allowed him to see opportunity in disaster. After a fire in September 1876 which destroyed 12 acres of Seaforth's downtown core, Cardno purchased the property on the west side of Main Street to erect his music hall. In July, 1877, he removed an old hotel to a vacant lot on John Street to make room for 'a better and more ornamental' structure, according to the Huron Expositor. Built in the Second Empire style, 'The Belden Atlas' (1879) described the two storey white brick edifice with a swept Mansard roof and basement as 'a very hand- some design' and not to be seen in any city or town in the country. An 1878 account pronounced Cardno Hall as the handsomest public hall in this part of Canada, with its tall arched windows and slate roof capped by a bell tower. The bell tower clock was added as an afterthought. While construction was well under way in September, the Expositor wondered about the propriety of having erected in the tower of Mr. Cardno's new building a suitable town clock because it would add much to the attrac- tions of the town. Indeed, the four faces of the clock were said to be visible for miles beyond the town. In December, the clock, made in Troy, New York, was installed in the tower along with an 800 pound bronze bell cast in Bos- ton. The clock and bell tower added another $1,000 to the hefty sum of $30,000 Cardno spent in erecting the hall. When the hall was officially christened on Dec. 15, 1877, an enthusiastic audience packed into the 600 -seat hall to hear Mayor Thomas Coleman dedi- cate it. It was the public's first look beyond the archway entrance that led up 22 steps to the spacious performance hall. A large dining hall in the rear made it an ideal spot for holding banquets and receptions. The hall's broad balcony was supported by elegant Corinthian columns. The lighting was sup- plied by natural gas produced in the hall's basement. Misses Alexander and Zimmerman gave a musical recital and a comedy routine by Master Fred- die Foster provided the even- ing's entertainment. In the absence of a local cler- gyman, who backed out of the christening ceremony at the last moment, Mr. M. P. Hayes, a local banker, sprinkled the walls and stage with sparkling champagne. Hayes assured the audience the hall's elegance would be an encouragement and an induce- ment to bring into our midst the better and more elevating class of amusements, and the most tal- ented artists in the country. In January 1878, the hall's first play was staged when the Seaforth Dramatic Club performed 'Uncle Tom's Cabin: Hand painted scen- ery and a thrilling narrative acted out before a full house guaranteed that Cardno's Music Hall was a smash hit. The play 'Ten Nights in a Barroom' warning about the evils of drink ensured that the hall had the moral approval of the influential Women's Christian Temperance Union. At only $15 per night's rental, Cardno envisioned that his music hall would be booked regu- larly by both local and itinerant acts. Before moving film, radio and television, Cardno's Music Hall was the main entertainment venue in the area. Queen Victo- ria's Golden Jubilee and Dia- mond Jubilee celebrations were held at Cardno Hall. The area's lead statesmen held political rallies at the hall. During the Great War, Cardno Hall was used by the Red Cross and other patriotic societies to mobilize the local war effort. One of the most popular fund raising events of the era were black faced Minstrel shows which raised funds for various causes. Operatic concerts, Gypsy shows, wandering lecturers, travelogues, magic lantern shows, religious revivals, strong man acts and med- ical professors promoting miracle cures all trod the boards Cardno Hall's stage. A 1928 article in the Stratford Beacon Herald recalled that all the best that was then on the road came to Cardno's. The Presidium drop curtain that currently hangs over the stage witnessed some of the greatest issues in Canadian his- tory, such as conscription, pro- hibition, and votes for women debated beneath it. At the Great War's end, a well -attended ser- vice of Thanksgiving was held at the hall in November 1918. The GreatWar was, perhaps, the high point for music hall entertain- ment. Although there was still a demand for live entertainment, movie houses and radio provided cheaper and more accessible forms of entertainment. As Cardno Hall began to show its age, maintenance of the bell tower and clock became more of a chore. Seaforth businessman, Ed Daly, recounted 'vivid memo- ries' of the old hall in a 1984 'The London Free Press' interview. For ten years, Daly, the local clock maker's son, climbed into the tower every Saturday when he was a youngster in the 1930s to wind the clock and bell chime. In 1952, the appropriately named 'Crossroads' was the last live play staged at Cardno Hall. Indeed, the old hall was at a crossroads as it has been re -purposed as commercial space for businesses ranging from Bell Telephone to Stedman's Department store. One constant is that the hall remains a 'handsome ornament' to the Town of Seaforth. Thanks, in large part, to Chris and Kevin Cardno, the fifth generation of the Cardno family, who continue to preserve one of the most impor- tant architectural and cultural treas- ures in Ontario.