Adobe-and-brick structure
Built as a sturdy two‑story building using adobe and brick—materials that helped it survive Tombstone’s devastating fires, making it one of the few original buildings never rebuilt or significantly altered.
Victorian-style theater design:
Although located in a rugged mining town, the Hutchinsons modeled the interior after the variety theaters of San Francisco, aiming for elegance and refinement.
Twelve “birdcage” balcony boxes:
These suspended, curtained boxes lined the walls above the main floor. They were used by sex workers during performances, giving the theater its name.
Stage, orchestra pit, and saloon layout:
The building combined a full stage, bar, gambling area, and entertainment hall under one roof—designed to operate 24/7 for miners seeking nonstop diversion.
Bullet‑scarred interior:
The walls were built thick enough to withstand the rowdy environment. More than 140 bullet holes remain today, a testament to the building’s rugged construction and Tombstone’s violent nightlife.
Purpose Behind the Construction:
Built as a “first‑class variety theatre”
The Hutchinsons intended to bring respectable entertainment to Tombstone, but the town’s economics pushed the venue toward bawdier, more profitable acts.
Opened December 26, 1881:
Construction took roughly a year, culminating in a grand opening just two months after the famous O.K. Corral gunfight