One Afternoon at the Iroquois

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On December 30, 1903, a devastating fire erupted in Chicago’s Iroquois Theater during a packed performance. Marketed as “absolutely fireproof,” the theater was anything but safe. In under 20 minutes, over 600 people, primarily women and children, perished from burns, suffocation, and trampling as chaos ensued. The audience faced locked stairways, absent fire escapes, and jammed exits, contributing to the tragic death toll. In this gripping account, author Troy Taylor explores the horrific events of that day, revealing the lives lost and irrevocably changed. He investigates the theater's dark history and the corruption that permitted its opening just five weeks prior to the disaster. Readers will learn about the victims taken to makeshift morgues and the haunting spirits that linger long after the tragedy. Taylor recounts chilling first-hand experiences of hauntings in the theater, a nearby department store, and the infamous “Death Alley” where many lost their lives. This haunting narrative serves as a poignant reminder of a holiday season turned into a nightmare, making it an ideal read for a cold winter's night.