San Bernardino in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
California Theater
Historic Site
Photographed By James Hulse, November 5, 2021
1. California Theater Marker
Built in 1928.
Famous American Humorist, Will Rogers, made his last appearance here in 1935.
Erected 2005 by A Joint S.B. Redevelopment Agency and Inland Building Companies Project.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 34° 6.393′ N, 117° 17.726′ W. Marker is in San Bernardino, California, in San Bernardino County. Marker is on West 4th Street, 0.1 miles west of N E Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located along the street on the sidewalk in front of the theater. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 562 West 4th Street, San Bernardino CA 92401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. To Jedediah Smith (approx. 0.3 miles away); 60th Anniversary of the CCC (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Mormon Stockade (approx. 0.4 miles away); San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot (approx. 0.8 miles away); Mitla Café (approx. 1.1 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Route 66 (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Grimace (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Bernardino.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. California Theatre (San Bernardino).
In the early years of Hollywood, filmmakers would test-screen their movies at the California Theatre. Classic films such as "King Kong" and "The Wizard of Oz" were first seen by audiences at the theatre in the 1930s. Source: Wikipedia(Submitted on November 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. Will Rogers.
Known as "Oklahoma's Favorite Son", Rogers was born to a Cherokee family in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma). As an entertainer and humorist, he traveled around the world three times, made 71 films (50 silent films and 21 "talkies"), and wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Source: Wikipedia(Submitted on November 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, November 5, 2021
2. California Theater
The marker is to the right of the entrance.
Photographed By James Hulse, November 5, 2021
3. California Theater
The marker is to the right of the entrance.
Public Domain - Melbourne Spurr, 1922
4. Will Rogers in Filmplay Journal
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 280 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
