Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Old Theatre Building

Santa Cruz

— MCMXX —

Old Theatre Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 3, 2013

1. Old Theatre Building Marker

Inscription. A Brief History In the mid-1800’s, the Pacific Garden Mall was simply known as “Pacific.” The corner now occupied by the Old Theatre Building contained a picturesque little pond shaded by a mammoth sycamore. Also under the tree was a huge cider press. Pioneers would pick apples in a nearby orchard and press a supply of cider before heading on.
Created by designers of the original Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, the New Santa Cruz Theatre opened its doors on February 12, 1920, with a rousing Mack Sennett comedy. Except for a major facelift in 1938, the New Santa Cruz Theatre continued showing films until the evening of December 22, 1955, when the raging San Lorenzo River left its banks and engulfed the lobby. In 1976, demolition began to rebuild the Old Theatre Building of today.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1870.

Location. 36° 58.415′ N, 122° 1.573′ W. Marker is in Santa Cruz, California, in Santa Cruz County. It is on Walnut Avenue near Pacific Avenue. The building is located on the northwest corner of Walnut and Pacific Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 95060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the 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

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of this marker: J.J. Newberry Building (a few steps from this marker); Patrick Neary Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Hihn Building (about 300 feet away); Theatre Del Mar (about 500 feet away); ZaSu Pitts House (about 500 feet away); Santa Cruz Hall of Records 1882 (about 500 feet away); Santa Cruz County Bank (about 600 feet away); Pacific Avenue Commercial Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Cruz.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, December 9, 2022

2. Old Theatre Building Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 3, 2013

3. Old Theatre Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,039 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on February 12, 2013. Photos: 1. submitted on January 9, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on January 4, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3. submitted on January 9, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.