24 West Randolph Street
Historical BackgroundCouch Place is located in downtown Chicago, adjacent to the site of the Iroquois Theatre, which opened in 1903. The theatre was promoted as "absolutely fireproof" and was hosting a performance of "Mr. Bluebeard" on December 30, 1903, when a stage light ignited a fire that quickly spread throughout the venue. The theatre was packed with over 1,700 patrons, and the chaos that ensued led to a tragic loss of life. Many people were trapped inside due to locked exits and poorly marked escape routes, resulting in over 600 fatalities, with many bodies found in Couch Place, which became a makeshift morgue.
The Fire and Its AftermathThe fire lasted approximately 30 minutes, during which panic ensued as patrons attempted to escape. The alley became a grim scene, with bodies piled up as emergency responders worked to recover the deceased. The horrific nature of the event led to Couch Place being referred to as the "Alley of Death" due to the overwhelming number of casualties and the sight of the bodies.
The Fire and Its AftermathThe fire lasted approximately 30 minutes, during which panic ensued as patrons attempted to escape. The alley became a grim scene, with bodies piled up as emergency responders worked to recover the deceased. The horrific nature of the event led to Couch Place being referred to as the "Alley of Death" due to the overwhelming number of casualties and the sight of the bodies.