Chinatown in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

California Theatre

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 10, 2014

1. California Theatre Marker

Inscription. On this site
January 18, 1869
The California Theatre
Built by William C. Ralston

Opened with the following stock company
John McCullough • Lawrence Barrett • Harry Edwards • Willie Edouin • E.B. Holmes • William Mestayer • John T. Raymond • W.F. Burroughs • W.H. Sedley Smith • John Wilson • Edward J. Buckley • Mrs. Judah Emelie Melville • Elizabeth Sanders • Annette Ince • Marie E. Gordon • Sophie Edwin • Minnie Walton • Julia Buckley

This theatre remained a brilliant center of drama until August 11, 1888 – Among artists who played here where Charles W. Couldock, Edwin Adams, John Broughan, Edwin Booth, Barton Hill, Walter Montgomery, Mrs. D.P. Bowers, Adelaide Neilson, Lotta Crabtree.

Erected 1932 by Commonwealth Club of California and the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company. (Marker Number 86.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 2003.

Location. 37° 47.447′ N, 122° 24.28′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Chinatown.

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It is on Bush Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 Bush Street, San Francisco CA 94104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pacific States Building (a few steps from this marker); SFFD Engine Co. No. 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Kong Chow Association and Temple (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Home Telephone Company (about 300 feet away); "Comfort Women" Column of Strength (about 400 feet away); San Francisco Mining Exchange (about 400 feet away); Chinese-American War Memorial (about 500 feet away); Dr. Sun Yat Sen (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 10, 2014

2. California Theatre Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 860 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on December 11, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 26, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.