Elmwood in Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Strand (Elmwood) Theater

Albert W. Cornelius, Architect

— 1914 —

Strand (Elmwood) Theater Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 19, 2012

1. Strand (Elmwood) Theater Marker

Inscription. City of Berkeley Landmark
designated in 1982 Built as the Strand Theater in the Art Nouveau architectural style, this was one of the neighborhood’s first commercial structures. Admission was ten cents for adults, five for children and the theater advertised as “catering to the family.” After closing in 1941, it reopened as the Elmwood in 1947, with a new zigzag Moderne decor. The opening movies were “The Macomber Affair,” starring UC Berkeley alumnus Gregory Peck, and “Blondie’s Big Moment.” Promoted as “Berkeley’s first post war motion picture house,” it featured foreign films and survived the advent of television, movie multiplexes, and home video.

A fire closed the theater again in 1988. When it was rumored that the building would be replaced with shops, friends of the theater created the Elmwood Theater Foundation which purchased and renovated the building with a City loan. The theater reopened in 1994.

Erected 2000 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1982.

Location. 37° 51.405′ N, 122° 15.193′ W. Marker is in Berkeley

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, California, in Alameda County. It is in Elmwood. Marker is on College Avenue south of Asby Avenue (California Route 13), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2966 College Avenue, Berkeley CA 94705, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Berkeley Repertory Theatre: Original Location (1968) (a few steps from this marker); Bill's Trading Post and Gem Gallery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Kelsey Ranch (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frances Elizabeth Willard (approx. 0.3 miles away); Star Grocery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Claremont Public Improvements (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Muir School (approx. half a mile away); Welcome to Wonderland (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

Regarding Strand (Elmwood) Theater. The Strand Theatre was operating prior to 1941. It was actually listed as (Closed) in 1941 through to 1943. Reopened again by 1950 it was still the Strand Theatre in 1952.
Later renamed Elmwood Theatre, by 2009 it was operated by the independent Rialto Cinemas chain.
Source: Cinema Treasures - http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5085

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 19, 2012

2. Strand (Elmwood) Theater Marker

The marker is placed in the window of the ticket booth.

The Strand (Elmwood) Theater image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 19, 2012

3. The Strand (Elmwood) Theater

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 779 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on April 24, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.