Academy of Music

What apparently is this theatre is listed under Charleston, SC in the 1897-98 edition of the Julius Cahn Official Theatrical Guide. The name is “Owens Academy of Music”. Unfortunately, the Guide does not list street addresses. The theatre was managed by W.T. Keogh and Charles W. Keogh; it was on the ground floor, had 1,400 seats, and both gas and electric illumination. The proscenium opening was 21 feet wide X 34 feet high, and the stage was 39 feet deep. Local newspapers were the News and Courier, the Post, and the Sun. Hotels for show folk were the St. Charles, Calhoun, Pavillion, National and Caroline. The 1897 population of Charleston was 70,000.