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🔮 Magicians visit the Metro Area ✨
America’s most famous magician, Harry Houdini appeared in Denver many times over his career.
Houdini was known as a “magician,” but he specialized in escapes from dangerous situations. Houdini’s most famous escape trick in Denver involved being hung upside down and in chains from the balcony of the Denver Post building. Houdini was also known for speaking out against Spiritualists, who promised to communicate with the dead, and he drew a crowd when he spoke at Denver University. Aside from Houdini, Blackstone the magician, and escape artist Penny Conrad visited the Metro area.
Advertising handbill, 1923 DU Clarion, Oct. 16, 1924
Aurora Democrat, March 23, 1934 Aurora Advocate, Nov. 12, 1959
🎩 Magicians in Aurora 🐇
The most famous magician to visit Aurora might not be someone you recognize today, but MacDonald Birch was popular in the 1930s. Source: Aurora Democrat Newspaper, Sept. 23, 1938
Aurora had its own homegrown magicians too. Two teenagers were known around town as magicians for hire. They received local press coverage and placed ads in the classified section of newspapers to find gigs around town.
Bill Klibbe was featured in the Aurora Advocate Feb. 14, 1963.
Mark Merrill was another young Aurora magician who was featured in the Aurora Advocate on Feb 25, 1970 and advertised in the same paper on February, 25, 1970.
Want to learn more fun facts about Aurora's past? Visit the Aurora History Museum!
More info at AuroraMuseum.org.
Explore A World of Magic, presented by
Fitzsimons Credit Union,
here.