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Chicago Death Trap: The Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903
On the afternoon of December 30, 1903, during a sold-out matinee performance, a fire broke out in Chicago’s Iroquois Theatre. In the short span of twenty minutes, more than six hundred people, two thirds of whom were women and children, were asphyxiated, burned, or trampled to death in a panicked mob’s failed attempt to escape. A century after the fire—the deadliest in American history—Nat Brandt provides the only detailed chronicle of this horrific event to assess not only the titanic tragedy of the fire itself but also the municipal corruption and greed that kindled the flames beforehand and the political cover-ups hidden in the smoke and ash afterwards.
Advertised as “absolutely fireproof,” the Iroquois was Chicago’s most modern playhouse when it opened in the fall of 1903. With the approval of the city’s building department, theater developers Harry J. Powers and William J. Davis opened the theater prematurely to take full advantage of the holiday crowds, ignoring flagrant safety violations in the process. During the matinee on this particular Wednesday, all 1,724 seats were filled and an additional two hundred people were standing.
Midway through the second act, a spark from a defective light ignited a drop curtain and the blaze spread quickly to the scenery. Roof vents designed to handle smoke and heat were sealed off, and the fire curtain snagged before it could shield the audience from danger. A blast of gaseous fumes shot across the auditorium from an open stage door and asphyxiated hundreds of theatergoers almost instantly. Others were trampled or burned to death in the panic that ensued as they struggled to escape through locked exits, succeeding only in piling body upon body as the flames closed in.
For days afterward, Chicago mourned as relatives and friends searched hospitals for missing loved ones. The aftermath of the fire proved to be a study in the miscarriage of justice. Despite overwhelming evidence that the building was not complete, that fire safety laws were ignored, and that management had deliberately sealed off exits during the performance, no one was ever convicted or otherwise held accountable for the enormous loss of life.
Lavishly illustrated and featuring an introduction by Chicago historians Perry R. Duis and Cathlyn Schallhorn, Chicago Death Trap: The Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903 is rich with vivid details about this horrific disaster, captivatingly presented in human terms without losing sight of the broader historical context.
Advertised as “absolutely fireproof,” the Iroquois was Chicago’s most modern playhouse when it opened in the fall of 1903. With the approval of the city’s building department, theater developers Harry J. Powers and William J. Davis opened the theater prematurely to take full advantage of the holiday crowds, ignoring flagrant safety violations in the process. During the matinee on this particular Wednesday, all 1,724 seats were filled and an additional two hundred people were standing.
Midway through the second act, a spark from a defective light ignited a drop curtain and the blaze spread quickly to the scenery. Roof vents designed to handle smoke and heat were sealed off, and the fire curtain snagged before it could shield the audience from danger. A blast of gaseous fumes shot across the auditorium from an open stage door and asphyxiated hundreds of theatergoers almost instantly. Others were trampled or burned to death in the panic that ensued as they struggled to escape through locked exits, succeeding only in piling body upon body as the flames closed in.
For days afterward, Chicago mourned as relatives and friends searched hospitals for missing loved ones. The aftermath of the fire proved to be a study in the miscarriage of justice. Despite overwhelming evidence that the building was not complete, that fire safety laws were ignored, and that management had deliberately sealed off exits during the performance, no one was ever convicted or otherwise held accountable for the enormous loss of life.
Lavishly illustrated and featuring an introduction by Chicago historians Perry R. Duis and Cathlyn Schallhorn, Chicago Death Trap: The Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903 is rich with vivid details about this horrific disaster, captivatingly presented in human terms without losing sight of the broader historical context.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 4, 2017
This is a specialist subject, concentrating on a theatre fire in Chicago in 1903. It is quite a harrowing tale and one that has largely been forgotten which is not surprising as it was over 100 years ago. I had heard of the fire before and was interested to learn the full story which this book does a good job of explaining.
It is well written and doesn't seek to sensationalize the story which may be because it happened so long ago and distance adds perspective, but there is some incredulity that nobody was held accountable for the worst single building fire in US history (still holding that record). It covers the period in question and provides an interesting, though narrow perspective of how things were 100 years ago.
It is an interesting read but very specific - you probably need an interest in this type of book to seek it out.
It is well written and doesn't seek to sensationalize the story which may be because it happened so long ago and distance adds perspective, but there is some incredulity that nobody was held accountable for the worst single building fire in US history (still holding that record). It covers the period in question and provides an interesting, though narrow perspective of how things were 100 years ago.
It is an interesting read but very specific - you probably need an interest in this type of book to seek it out.
February 15, 2019
Initial list of victims was 570 with 420 female and 150 male, of which nearly a third was children. It later climbed to 602. And even that number is uncertain since some of the bodies were removed by relatives before a count could be made.
Chicago's Iroquois Theater - opened for mere weeks for the holiday season - ended the year of 1903 in flames, causing hundreds to die from asphyxiation. More people died in the Iroquois than from the "Great Chicago Fire of 1871".
The Iroquois was declared 'fireproof' and in reality, the building suffered little damage from the fire beyond the destruction of seating, stage areas and the numerous curtains that covered all the escape doors in maintain the 'attractiveness' of the theater.
The immense amount of research the author has performed basically enables him to bludgeon the readers with names, ages and the manners of escape or death but reading about the investigation into the tragedy is even more profoundly disturbing. Fire regulations and ordinances were ignored and bypassed mostly due to graft and corruption. The owners/managers were so focused on having the building ready for opening night that the numerous deficiencies were either overlooked or ignored.
Some of the actual causes of the tragedy were:
- Doors were locked with bascule locks - I couldn't even find a picture of one - which at the time were more familiar to those in Europe and the United Kingdom. They were mostly unknown in America which means no one knew how to open one.
- Accordion gates were locked across the staircases during the performance to prevent people from sneaking down to the dress or parquet levels.
- There were no signs or arrows to indicate emergency exits (which were covered with damask curtains) for the flow of traffic.
- Basically one entrance/exit which had the theatergoers fleeing from the top level flowing into those evacuating the middle level and then the first level (if they were even able to get access to the staircases).
- Although a sprinkler system was required by law, it was never completed.
- The skylight venting system over the stage was still tied down from its installation and thus inoperable.
- Doors that opened inward instead of outward.
- The asbestos curtain - supposedly to come between the stage and the audience - got hung up on an extended light reflector and was only a single layer as opposed to the minimal 3-4 layers.
- Exterior fire escapes were incomplete or frozen preventing them from being lowered.
- None of the ushers or stagecrew were given any information - much less practice - regarding where they were supposed to be and what they were supposed to do in case of an emergency.
And the architect blamed the entire tragedy on the people panicking.
Although several people were charged for fire-code violations; careless in performance of duty; gross carelessness; failure to enforce city ordinances and yet no one was ever found guilty.
New regulations and ordinances were created to improve safety features although many of the 'current' theaters were grandfathered and not required to make the changes.
Oddly enough, Mr. Brandt found references to several plaques as well as a bas-relief sculpture commemorating the tragedy. Many of them have disappeared over time and the sculpture was only rediscovered in the 1960's. It's almost like the city wants to forget that day in December of 1903.
2019-012
Chicago's Iroquois Theater - opened for mere weeks for the holiday season - ended the year of 1903 in flames, causing hundreds to die from asphyxiation. More people died in the Iroquois than from the "Great Chicago Fire of 1871".
The Iroquois was declared 'fireproof' and in reality, the building suffered little damage from the fire beyond the destruction of seating, stage areas and the numerous curtains that covered all the escape doors in maintain the 'attractiveness' of the theater.
The immense amount of research the author has performed basically enables him to bludgeon the readers with names, ages and the manners of escape or death but reading about the investigation into the tragedy is even more profoundly disturbing. Fire regulations and ordinances were ignored and bypassed mostly due to graft and corruption. The owners/managers were so focused on having the building ready for opening night that the numerous deficiencies were either overlooked or ignored.
Some of the actual causes of the tragedy were:
- Doors were locked with bascule locks - I couldn't even find a picture of one - which at the time were more familiar to those in Europe and the United Kingdom. They were mostly unknown in America which means no one knew how to open one.
- Accordion gates were locked across the staircases during the performance to prevent people from sneaking down to the dress or parquet levels.
- There were no signs or arrows to indicate emergency exits (which were covered with damask curtains) for the flow of traffic.
- Basically one entrance/exit which had the theatergoers fleeing from the top level flowing into those evacuating the middle level and then the first level (if they were even able to get access to the staircases).
- Although a sprinkler system was required by law, it was never completed.
- The skylight venting system over the stage was still tied down from its installation and thus inoperable.
- Doors that opened inward instead of outward.
- The asbestos curtain - supposedly to come between the stage and the audience - got hung up on an extended light reflector and was only a single layer as opposed to the minimal 3-4 layers.
- Exterior fire escapes were incomplete or frozen preventing them from being lowered.
- None of the ushers or stagecrew were given any information - much less practice - regarding where they were supposed to be and what they were supposed to do in case of an emergency.
And the architect blamed the entire tragedy on the people panicking.
Although several people were charged for fire-code violations; careless in performance of duty; gross carelessness; failure to enforce city ordinances and yet no one was ever found guilty.
New regulations and ordinances were created to improve safety features although many of the 'current' theaters were grandfathered and not required to make the changes.
Oddly enough, Mr. Brandt found references to several plaques as well as a bas-relief sculpture commemorating the tragedy. Many of them have disappeared over time and the sculpture was only rediscovered in the 1960's. It's almost like the city wants to forget that day in December of 1903.
2019-012
February 27, 2008
This will make you think twice about going to a theatre and NOT looking for your nearest exit. Great true story for anyone who loves the history of American theatre and/or Chicago politics. So many building codes have been changed due to what happened at the Iroquois. You can't walk past that spot (what is now the Oriental theatre) without getting chills after reading this book. Actually, many ghost tours stop in the alley behind the theatre because strange things happen there.
May 11, 2022
A solid book, with an impressive amount of illustrations to go along with the information. Once again I find myself completely baffled at the fact that nobody was ever held responsible for this disaster, despite a very blatant sequence of oversights and neglect, though I suppose by this point I shouldn't be surprised. This would absolutely be worth a read even if this isn't really your thing, as it's insane that such a disaster could occur and really, not many people know about it -- even in Chicago itself. It seems impossible to believe that it could simply be forgotten about, especially when compared to other disasters that don't come close in regards to lives lost, yet the Iroquois Theatre Fire is regulated to the realms of those who are into very specific parts of American history, or, like myself, prone to very niche Wikipedia binges. It's incredible that this isn't more widely remembered.
The book itself covers a brief history of the theatre scene in Chicago, as well as the planning and construction of the theatre itself. It goes into great detail about the day, piecing it together minute by minute and providing points of view from all sections of the theatre. It also focuses on the rescuers, the search for victims, and naturally goes on to cover the investigations and the frustrating conclusion to proceedings. As mentioned, there are several illustrations and diagrams, including photographs of the theatre before and after the fire, diagrams of the theatre itself, and a section dedicated to a selection of photographs of some of the people who lost their lives.
All in all, an important little book chronicling a preventable disaster that nobody was ever brought to justice for, that's been all too quickly forgotten.
The book itself covers a brief history of the theatre scene in Chicago, as well as the planning and construction of the theatre itself. It goes into great detail about the day, piecing it together minute by minute and providing points of view from all sections of the theatre. It also focuses on the rescuers, the search for victims, and naturally goes on to cover the investigations and the frustrating conclusion to proceedings. As mentioned, there are several illustrations and diagrams, including photographs of the theatre before and after the fire, diagrams of the theatre itself, and a section dedicated to a selection of photographs of some of the people who lost their lives.
All in all, an important little book chronicling a preventable disaster that nobody was ever brought to justice for, that's been all too quickly forgotten.
October 29, 2007
a truly devastating story. 650 people (mostly women and children) were burned, asphyxiated or crushed to death in the fire and ensuing panic at a holiday matinee performance at the Iroqouis Theatre in Chicago. it's the tragedy that lead to reform in building codes and public safety. yup, there's a reason why exit doors must always open outwards and emergency exits must be clearly marked. a good dose of Chicago history, too.
May 13, 2008
This was a very interesting read (Thanks, George!). A very sad tragedy that took place in a time of extreme coruption in the city of Chicago.
February 7, 2016
Not for the faint of heart(disasters are not easy to read about). But a solid reminder of the consequences of what unchecked greed can do to a community/individuals lives.
June 10, 2023
Being a proud member of IATSE, the stage hand's union. I was aware of this disaster. I was also in a small fire at The Wisconsin Memorial Union Theater (now known as Shannon Hall) in the late 1960's when the heating coil in a fog machine shorted out and blew up the electrical cable powering it. I was standing in an open trap door in the floor of the stage. Next thing I knew I was running to the box office to tell them to call the fire department. When I got back to the stage, the cable had been unpowered and a small fire extinguished. Two mistakes made were the wiring of the heater on the wrong side of the switch ind the company box and the removal of the fire extinguisher from it's niche in the wall where it was supposed to be and placement next to the water heater. The fire was out and everything was under control when the fire department arrived a couple of minutes later.
Anyway, the book is detailed and graphic. Not much has changed in the way producers cut corners and ignore safety hazards. The fire has produced tougher safety laws that are taken seriously by fire departments. Recently, a firefighter or two are present at show load-ins at the Coliseum where we have riggers up in the steel structure rigging points to fly lights and scenery. Our riggers wear harnesses and safety lines to prevent them from falling to the floor.
Anyway, the book is detailed and graphic. Not much has changed in the way producers cut corners and ignore safety hazards. The fire has produced tougher safety laws that are taken seriously by fire departments. Recently, a firefighter or two are present at show load-ins at the Coliseum where we have riggers up in the steel structure rigging points to fly lights and scenery. Our riggers wear harnesses and safety lines to prevent them from falling to the floor.
June 10, 2020
Fell into a weird rabbit hole while doing research for a story I was working on (that ended up shelved in lieu of numerous other projects) and was amazed at the history of theatre catastrophes, especially from the Victorian and Edwardian era. This is a cautionary tale of valuing commerce and ego above the livelihood of fellow man. It's interesting to consider just how many things we take for granted EACH DAY that stemmed from this incident, proper fire escapes, panic bars on doors, lit exit signs, and so on.
Brandt turns what could be bland accounting into an interesting narrative, wrapping the lives of those involved with the events during and after. From the additional digging I did, though not exhaustive, this is a very accurate accounting and doesn't take many liberties into the subjective.
Brandt turns what could be bland accounting into an interesting narrative, wrapping the lives of those involved with the events during and after. From the additional digging I did, though not exhaustive, this is a very accurate accounting and doesn't take many liberties into the subjective.
March 27, 2019
A slim book about the single worst fire in American history, when over six hundred people died in a 1903 show at Chicago's extravagant, newly-opened Iroquois Theatre (the show was a holiday matinee, ensuring that most of the dead were women and children - the book includes a section of portrait photographs of some of the children who died in the fire, a touch that's both ghoulish and gutting). There's no speculation or academic theorizing here, and only the briefest cultural context about the city of Chicago and the world of touring theater, so Brandt's journalistic style allows him to tell the story with just the facts - what happened, and what happened afterwards - making the book a quick, engrossing read, and at times an absolutely devastating one.
December 24, 2025
A disturbing and well-researched and organized account of the deadly theatre fire which claimed 602 lives. I don't remember NOT knowing about this fire, and it, along with the fire at Our Lady of the Angels school, has always colored my experience in a crowded place. I am always cognizant of the nearest exits. Shamefully, no one was held responsible for the fire even though many egregious errors and shortcuts contributed to the great loss of life. One lawyer who defended the accused was Clarence Darrow who always seemed to have a place in the spotlight of major Chicago trials. A sad book, but for Chicago history buffs, it is well worth reading.
June 5, 2018
Iroquois Theater fire centennial books by Anthony Hatch's (Tinderbox) and Nat Brandt (Chicago Death Trap: the Iroquois Theater Fire of 1903) each offer a helpful overview of the fire that is a good starting point for learning about the disaster. I am obligated to both for providing the outline that helped point the way. Those interested in delving further are invited to join me at http://www.iroquoistheater.com
August 31, 2017
This account of the disastrous fire in 1903 Chicago just reiterates how businesses and politicians look-out for each other with little regard for the very people that are putting money into their pockets. In many ways very little has changed over the years. The lack of humanity and the greed of the rich astounds me.
Read
April 10, 2022I’m always interested in this sort of book, about how things like this happen. I was a bit overwhelmed by all the names - theatre owners, management, city government, etc. Important to the narrative, just hard for me to keep track of. Fascinating that no one was ever criminally convicted, and that nearly all memorials are gone.
April 19, 2023
This book made me cry twice. I knew vaguely about the story before, but not this much in depth as the book gave. The description of the victims and their last moments, as well as the fact that no-one was charged for 600 deaths, made me sad and angry in equal measure.
but as it's said, our safety is built on the blood of the past.
but as it's said, our safety is built on the blood of the past.
January 7, 2019
Just like the "unsinkable" Titanic, the "fireproof" Iroquious Theater would prove another disaster due to human negligence and hubris. Glad I finally got to read more about it since it is a piece of history rarely talked about, even though it was the second deadliest building fire in US history.
December 28, 2018
Satisfying read about the worst theatre fire in American history. Heroes and villains abound as the investigation searches for the causes and ways of preventing this from ever happening again.
June 19, 2023
Good retelling but it will make you extremely frustrated with some of the things that went down after
June 21, 2015
This book covers the historical detail well. It starts by setting the scene at the turn of the century Chicago in terms of the city and the people in general. It describes the building of the theatre, the disaster itself and the after effects including trying to find someone to blame. The start of each chapter details a piece of fire code (regulation) in operation at the time. However, there is a real lack of personal and emotional depth to the writing.
The subject matter makes obvious comparisons with Stewart O'Nan's book about the big circus fire and Paul Benzaquin's 'Holocaust' about the nightclub fire at Cocoanut Grove in Boston. However what these other books do makes them far superior in my opinion. They focus on the people in the disaster. We learn about who they are, what led them to be involved in the disaster and what happened afterwards. These authors take time to make the reader care about characters whereas in The Iroquios Fire we are given lots of history and fire regulations, but very little personal detail. The sections about the horrific fire are done well and are emotional in places, but this is too brief. The disaster takes only about 2 hours of the 7.5 hours listening time on audio.
It must be difficult to narrate such a horrific true story and the Narrator keeps a serious tone throughout. However this made it terribly dull to listen to. He also pauses at odd places sometimes and it sounds like he is reading to the end of line in a book and taking a pause, regardless of punctuation.
Overall this is worthwhile because it is true, it is history and we can realise how lucky we are today to be protected by rules and regulations that care for our safety. I didn't know anything about this disaster and so found it very educational, however it is a dull listen. I also felt that a more personal and human story could have been crafted from historical sources.
The subject matter makes obvious comparisons with Stewart O'Nan's book about the big circus fire and Paul Benzaquin's 'Holocaust' about the nightclub fire at Cocoanut Grove in Boston. However what these other books do makes them far superior in my opinion. They focus on the people in the disaster. We learn about who they are, what led them to be involved in the disaster and what happened afterwards. These authors take time to make the reader care about characters whereas in The Iroquios Fire we are given lots of history and fire regulations, but very little personal detail. The sections about the horrific fire are done well and are emotional in places, but this is too brief. The disaster takes only about 2 hours of the 7.5 hours listening time on audio.
It must be difficult to narrate such a horrific true story and the Narrator keeps a serious tone throughout. However this made it terribly dull to listen to. He also pauses at odd places sometimes and it sounds like he is reading to the end of line in a book and taking a pause, regardless of punctuation.
Overall this is worthwhile because it is true, it is history and we can realise how lucky we are today to be protected by rules and regulations that care for our safety. I didn't know anything about this disaster and so found it very educational, however it is a dull listen. I also felt that a more personal and human story could have been crafted from historical sources.
May 10, 2010
This book does a good job of laying out the facts from the 1903 fire of the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago. (It seems too that it is an almost forgotten piece of American tragedy - most people who attend the Oriental Theatre in Chicago have no idea it is standing where the Iroquois used to and where 602 people lost their lives.)
The details that the author was able to capture and retell was done in a way I found to conjure up amazing imagery regarding the layout of the theatre, the scenario backstage before during and after the fire broke out as well what each level of the theatre experienced from performer, to stagehand, to orchestra pit and on up to the audiences in the 2nd balcony.
There are a lot of facts, names and details to keep straight and at times it can get a little confusing trying to remember who was who - the author did a pretty good job of recapping as the book continued to help the reader remember who was who and who played what role in the disaster. Also, if you are interested in the where, how and why's pertaining to a number of safety regulations for most public buildings and especially theatres, then you would enjoy this book as most are still relevant today.
It is also an interesting piece of history that has almost been forgotten.
The details that the author was able to capture and retell was done in a way I found to conjure up amazing imagery regarding the layout of the theatre, the scenario backstage before during and after the fire broke out as well what each level of the theatre experienced from performer, to stagehand, to orchestra pit and on up to the audiences in the 2nd balcony.
There are a lot of facts, names and details to keep straight and at times it can get a little confusing trying to remember who was who - the author did a pretty good job of recapping as the book continued to help the reader remember who was who and who played what role in the disaster. Also, if you are interested in the where, how and why's pertaining to a number of safety regulations for most public buildings and especially theatres, then you would enjoy this book as most are still relevant today.
It is also an interesting piece of history that has almost been forgotten.
April 7, 2011
Tale of the fire that changed fire laws. Quite horrific. It was a Christmastime show when everything went up in flames. Many children were in the audience. Eddie Foy, Sr. helped keep the crowd calm for a while. But eventually it was out of control. The students from (I think) Northwestern which had classes across the alley from the theater helped some people to escape the flames by putting a plank or a ladder across the alley to the theater.
I think this book came out to coincide with the centenary.
By the way, this theater is still a theater. They try to play down the Iroquois, I think, although there might be a plaque to commemmorate it. For a while they had a plaque upstairs from another theater, the Fine Arts, commemmorating those who died.
I think this book came out to coincide with the centenary.
By the way, this theater is still a theater. They try to play down the Iroquois, I think, although there might be a plaque to commemmorate it. For a while they had a plaque upstairs from another theater, the Fine Arts, commemmorating those who died.
February 4, 2016
I have read plenty of books detailing various disasters, particularly those concerning fires. Brandt does well in his relation of the fire itself, the prelude and the postlude to the event. The writing style though does not please me; I prefer these types of books to be written in the style of a novel. This account seems more to me like a newspaper report; it excels in indicating what happened, but it barely imputes any real feeling to the story. There are occasions, such as when he describes the victims receiving the Last Rights, when real feeling is generated. Most of the time, this does not happen.
July 9, 2015
I find myself on a disaster phase in reading. I had heard of the Iroquois fire through a tv show on the travel channel. I knew a little bit, but I was curious to read more. I am amazed how many small things united to make a "perfect storm" fire. A simple day at the new theater ends with 602 people dead. Mainly women and children. Ironically, the building still stood when the flames were put out. Such a tragedy, but thankfully a few lessons were learned. So many things we don't think about today are a result of such tragedies in our past.
April 7, 2016
This event was such a perfect storm, a perfect comedy of errors. There were at least 10 different safety hazards that caused the deaths of so many. So preventable. While reading the part about the actual fire and carnage, I was quite disturbed and my subconscious was bothering me so much with a restless, uneasy, sad feeling. Very sad that many people of today have never even heard of this sad tragedy. It has changed the way I feel about entering large arenas or theaters. I will be sure to know my exits and way out!
May 11, 2015
More than 600 dead. The deadliest theater fire in U.S. history, in a city well acquainted with disastrous fires. I have read several books and articles about this event over the years, and this is a pretty competitive account. I just can't imagine the horror, but I like finding out how some survive, others perish. A morbid reading habit of mine that stretches back to as early as ten.
December 18, 2011
Fairly good account of the Iroquois Theatre Fire, considering there are no surviving extended accounts from survivors, and that some facts were lost in the attempt to cover-up details during the investigation. It boggles my mind that so few people have ever heard of this, considering it is the most deadly single building fire in U.S. History.
September 1, 2007
Shouldn't have happened.
July 7, 2011
A moving story of a horrifying tragedy that is now forgotten.
July 7, 2008
Recently saw Wicked in this refurbished theater. Couldn't believe this history!
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