Rhoads Opera House Fire

Rhoads Opera House Fire is a Pennsylvania historical marker in Boyertown, Berks County, dedicated 2008.

Berks County · dedicated 2008 · Fairview Cemetery, north side of W Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown

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A disastrous fire destroyed the theater that stood at Philadelphia Ave. & Washington St. on Jan. 13, 1908. It claimed 170 victims, many buried here, due to overcrowding, poorly designed and unmarked exits, and inadequate fire escapes. The tragedy prompted the Pa. General Assembly to enact fire safety laws and improve construction and inspection standards, making public buildings safer and influencing similar legislation in other states.

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under a mile from where William Gabby lived in the 1760s

what this marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years here

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Marker data: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission via data.pa.gov

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