Popular Culture and Entertainment

ASU HST 200 (Historical Themes) The Growing Pains of Urbanization, 1870-1900 Popular Culture and Entertainment The wide and ubiquitous sources of popular culture and entertainment in and around cities provided much-needed relaxation to working-class citizens. These contributions offered a quick respite from the filth and hardships of daily existence. As more efficient internal transit systems emerged, working-class citizens were able to leave the city and visit one of the most well-liked new types of entertainment: amusement parks. For instance, the first of numerous amusement parks located on the Brooklyn waterfront was known as Coney Island, and it initially opened its doors in 1895. New Yorkers loved large-scale theatrical shows, crazy rides, and animal attractions in these parks, all of which helped them forget the hardships of their daily life at work. The public's fascination about physical deviation was piqued by freak "side" stories. For just ten cents, onlookers could watch a horse perform a high dive, go to the moon to see moon maidens consume green cheese, or watch an elephant electrocuted—a show that captivated the audience with its combination of cutting-edge technology and unusual animals. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other middle-class reformers became aware of the way animals were treated in several performances at Coney Island and other public amusement parks. Even though there were concerns about the morality of many of the acts, other towns swiftly adopted smaller versions of Coney Island's attractions, drawing inspiration from New York. Vaudeville, or big-stage variety performances including anything from real animals and magic to singing, dancing, and comedic acts, was another popular kind of entertainment. Many well-known performers, such as magician Harry Houdini, got their start in variety shows on the vaudeville circuit before becoming well-known enough to go solo. Apart from attending live theatrical performances, the nickelodeon, which was the precursor to the movie theater, was mostly appreciated by the working class population. When Pittsburgh's first nickelodeon opened its doors in 1905, around a hundred people flocked to a small theater to watch a regular vaudeville presentation intercut with one-minute film segments. At first, a number of theaters employed the movies as "chasers" to let the live audience know when the performance was about to stop so they could leave the theater. But by 1910, a vaudeville artists' strike increased public interest in the movies even more, leading to the establishment of contemporary movie theaters. Professional baseball was another significant source of amusement for the working class (Figure 19.12). In 1869, club teams became professional baseball teams when the Cincinnati Red Stockings, who are today known as the Cincinnati Reds, were founded. Professional teams quickly appeared in a number of significant American cities. A double-header, two hot dogs, and a beer could be had for less than $1 at a baseball game, making it an affordable source of entertainment. More significantly, though, was that by rooting for the same team, immigrants and recently moved Americans of various backgrounds were able to form a cohesive civic identity. After the National League was established in 1876, cathedral-style ballparks started to appear in several towns. Working-class Americans gathered at Fenway Park in Boston (1912), Forbes Field in Pittsburgh (1909), and the Polo Grounds in New York (1890) to support a shared cause.