Okay, I gotta admit, I was really anticipating a more harrowing experience considering the history behind the obscure alley in Chicago's Theater District. But I get ahead of myself, let me give you a little background on what is officially called Couch Place.
The alley sits behind the Nederlander Theater between State and Dearborn streets downtown, before it was the Nederlander, in 1926, it was the Oriental Theater, prior to that it was an empty property that used to be the Iroquois Theater. Constructed in 1903 it was billed in the newspapers as being the best, most elegant and first 'absolutely' fireproof theater, complete with the new Kylefire powder extinguishers, fireproof doors and asbestos fire screening. But as we all know when we brag about something of this magnitude it usually ends to disaster.
On opening night December 30 1903, the theater sold out a little known Broadway show called Mr. Bluebeard, over 1700 seats were filled and a couple hundred more standing room only. Halfway through the show a stage light backstage sparked and lit a backdrop curtain on fire, the stagehands tried using the Kylfire extinguishers but were unable to reach the source of the flames with the powder. They tried to use the fireproof mesh, but the pulley system snagged rendering it useless.
When the audience noticed the flames, they panic rushed the doors which unfortunately swu
ng inward. The surge of people trampling over one another made it impossible to open. Some tried escaping through the second floor fire escapes but the winter cold had frozen the sliding mechanism. Neighbors across the alley stretched out two by fours and ladders so people could crawl across to safety, this proved fatal to many as a mad rush to get to the ladders only caused many to fall and some to try and jump. The fire lasted 30 minutes and claimed the lives of 600 people the majority being found in Couch Alley, sources say the bodies in the Alley piled 6 feet high and actually helped cushion the fall of some survivors.
Knowing this I paid a visit to the alley and tried to pick up any sensations or sounds but felt nothing along the length of the alley. I turned on a sound recorder, EMF, and heat sensor and walked the length of the alley again, but unfortunately I didn't pick up any spiritual activity. It is possible the alley was Blessed or Cleansed to put the spirits to rest, or all three of my sensors and my empathetic sense have failed. Either way I will most likely go back and try again. Open invitation if anyone would like to accompany me. My contact information is on this page.
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