"Lest We Forget": Chicago's Awful Theater Horror

by Marshall Everett, Samuel Fallows

Overview

"Chicago's Awful Theater Horror" recounts one of the deadliest theater fires in American history, a tragedy that forever altered safety regulations and left an indelible mark on Chicago. This meticulously prepared print republication examines the Iroquois Theater fire, offering a detailed account of the disaster and its aftermath. Explore the historical context of early 20th-century urban life as the book investigates the factors contributing to the catastrophe.

Drawing on historical accounts, this volume sheds light on theater fires and fire prevention efforts in a time before modern safety standards. It delves into the specifics of the event while also considering its broader implications for theater design and emergency response. This book is essential for anyone interested in Chicago history, true crime, or the history of the performing arts. Readers interested in fire disasters and urban history will find a compelling narrative of a tragedy that changed the course of theater safety forever.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781023355049
Publisher:	Anson Street Press
Publication date:	03/29/2025
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.57(d)

About the Author

Marshall Everett was a prolific American writer and editor of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, best known for his works of popular history, sensational accounts, and memorial literature. His career was marked by a dedication to documenting events of profound public significance, often focusing on catastrophes, disasters, and other transformative moments that captured the attention of the nation. Everett possessed a talent for combining detailed reporting with moral commentary, ensuring that his books not only preserved the facts of important events but also reflected on their larger meaning.

Everett’s style of writing reflected the sensibilities of his time: urgent, accessible, and intended for a wide readership eager to understand the events shaping their world. He had an instinct for recognizing those episodes in American life that demanded permanent record—disasters that tested communities, tragedies that redefined public awareness, and moments of crisis that left indelible marks on collective memory. His works often functioned as more than accounts of calamity; they became cultural touchstones that conveyed lessons in responsibility, safety, and civic duty.

Through books like “Lest We Forget”: Chicago’s Awful Theater Horror, Everett established himself as a chronicler of events that tested the endurance of American society. His emphasis on eyewitness testimony, his inclusion of official perspectives, and his commitment to providing both emotional impact and historical accuracy made his writings widely read and widely preserved. In many ways, Everett can be seen as a bridge between journalism and history, crafting narratives that were immediate yet enduring.

Although not as prominently remembered as some of his contemporaries, Everett’s contributions remain significant. His works continue to be reprinted and studied for their value as historical sources and for their role in shaping public memory. His writings exemplify a cultural movement that recognized the importance of remembrance and the duty to transform the lessons of tragedy into reforms that might prevent future loss.