Orinda in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Orinda Theatre, 1941

The Orinda Theatre Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 17, 2020

1. The Orinda Theatre Marker

Inscription. The Orinda Theatre opened its doors in 1941 and is the city's most prominent visual landmark with its signature dorsal fin marquee. It is a textbook example of Streamlined Moderne Architecture, a late type of Art Deco design inspired by structures built for the 1939-40 Golden Gate International exposition on Treasure Island. The building includes Carrara glass and stainless steel finishes, with the interior theatre walls and foyer ceiling painted in classic murals.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 37° 52.739′ N, 122° 10.936′ W. Marker is in Orinda, California, in Contra Costa County. It is at the intersection of Moraga Way and Bryant Way, on the left on Moraga Way. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orinda CA 94563, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific

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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: Bryant Station Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Pony Express (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Pony Express (about 400 feet away); The Crossroads (about 400 feet away); The deLaveaga Station (about 400 feet away); The de Laveaga Station (about 500 feet away); Orinda Mural (about 500 feet away); The First Downtown (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orinda.

Also see . . . Orinda Theatre (Cinema Treasures). "The Orinda Theatre opened on December 27, 1941 with William Holden in “Texas”. The theatre was built for and operated by Donald Rheem....Slated for demolition in 1984, it was saved through the efforts of preservationists and reopened in 1989 as the center of the Theater

The Orinda Theatre Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 17, 2020

2. The Orinda Theatre Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here, to the right and behind the fountain, mounted to a post.

Square Project — a retail/entertainment redevelopment project." (Submitted on August 17, 2020.)

Marker detail: Inset photo - the Orinda Theatre image. Click for full size.

circa 1982

3. Marker detail: Inset photo - the Orinda Theatre

Ad for opening night at the Orinda Theatre image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Oakland Tribune (via Newspapers.com), December 26, 1941

4. Ad for opening night at the Orinda Theatre

The Orinda Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 17, 2020

5. The Orinda Theatre

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,512 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 17, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.