Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A Night of Silent Film and Tragedy
In 1917, the Knickerbocker Theatre opened as one of the most fashionable spots in D.C., seating 1,700 people. It was the largest movie theater in the city, a place of glamour and…
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In 1917, the Knickerbocker Theatre opened as one of the most fashionable spots in D.C., seating 1,700 people. It was the largest movie theater in the city, a place of glamour and excitement. But on January 28, 1922, that glamour turned into the worst disaster in the city's history.
Around 9:00 PM, while patrons were watching a silent film called Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford, the roof collapsed under the weight of heavy snow from the Knickerbocker storm. The tragedy claimed 98 lives, including five Georgetown University students and Congressman Andrew Jackson Barchfeld. The collapse was caused by an unseated main roof truss, and the horror of that night sparked nationwide criticism of irresponsible building practices and insufficient building codes.
Now, only the memory of that fashionable theater remains.
Updated June 2026