While on a recent research trip for my
next book, I passed through Boston, which is a fantastic city for Houdini locations. Among these is the site of Keith's Theatre, where Houdini appeared many times and did so many famous feats, including his escape from a
sea monster. However, identifying the theater's location can be tricky. Most photos and vintage postcards (such as the above) show an impressive entrance on Tremont Street. This is what stands on that site today.
However, this was not the theater. This was just a facade built along the well-trafficked street that led patrons into an arcade and through a tunnel under Mason Street, bringing them up into the actual theater on Washington Street.
Below is the original building on Washington Street that once housed Houdini's Keith's Theatre. You can see a billboard above it listing the many venues that once occupied the building, including Keith's (I didn't even notice this billboard when I was taking this pic).
The pic below shows a different perspective. On one side of the building is the Paramount Theater. This is where the Adams House Hotel once stood. Houdini stayed at Adams House whenever he was in Boston. It was there that he took the first of his famous ice baths. On the other side is the current Opera House, which was once called the B.F. Keith's Theater. But this was a newer Keith's, opened in 1928, so don't be fooled by this one, especially as it resembles the Tremont Street facade.
This wasn't my only stop. I've shared a series of videos on my Patreon exploring the other locations, including the real location of Houdini's famed "Boston Tombs" jailbreak, which I think might come as a surprise to most folks. I know it was a surprise to me!
If you're a patron, you can continue the tour below.
Still need more Houdini in Boston? Below are a few links you might enjoy.
