Erected in 1890 by J. C. Morgan for his dry goods store, the Morgan Building housed an opera house on the second floor from 1891 until August 26, 1911. In the crowded theater, a spectator yelled "fire" when a piece of film sparked. There was never a fire, but panic followed, and 26 people were trampled to death on the stairway as they tried to exit. The opera house never reopened, and it was never determined who yelled fire that day.
