- Merced Theatre
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Merced Theatre
Location: 301 W. Main St., Merced, California Area: 0.52 acres (2,100 m2)[2] Built: 1931 Architect: James William Reid, Merritt Jonathan Reid Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival style Governing body: Private NRHP Reference#: 09000248[1] Added to NRHP: May 1, 2009[1] The Merced Theatre is located at 301 W. Main Street, at the corner of Main Street and Martin Luther King Way, in Merced, California.[2] The theatre is significant both for its role as the social and cultural center of Merced from the Depression through the post World War II era and for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on May 1, 2009 and the listing was announced as the featured listing in the National Park Service's weekly list of June 5, 2009.[3]
The Golden State Theatre Company hired San Francisco architects the Reid Brothers to design the Merced Theatre. Another notable building they designed is the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California. They used what was at the time the most modern projection and sound technology, and the theatre was only the second building in Merced to have an air conditioning system. Their use of dramatic atmospheric features included castle facades and ventilators that sent "clouds" floating across the star-bespeckled ceiling.[2]
Builder Gian Battista Pasqualetti used steel from the Golden Gate Iron Works, ornamental iron from the San Jose Iron Works, and ornamental tiles from the Hispano Maresque Tile Company in Los Angeles to construct the Reid Brothers design for the multi-level, white stucco coated steel framed reinforced concrete building. A 100-foot (30 m) high tower rises above the marquee, and the orange neon block letters proclaiming MERCED can be seen for miles.[2]
The lobby includes a mural of Spanish exploration done by Dutch-born artist Antoon Bonaventure Heinsbergen. Original furnishings include Spanish style wooden sofas and chairs. The theatre originally seated 1,645 for filmed and live performances.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Announcements and actions on properties for the National Register of Historic Places". Weekly Listings. National Park Service. June 5, 2009. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20090605.htm. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Patti Dossetti (April 25, 2008). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Merced Theatre / New Merced Theatre" (PDF). National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/feature/weekly_features/MercedTheatre.pdf. Retrieved August 7, 2009. (29 pages, with maps and four photos)
- ^ "Weekly List Actions". National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/nrlist.htm. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
External links
- Merced Theatre - official site
U.S. National Register of Historic Places Topics Lists by states Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • WyomingLists by territories Lists by associated states Other Categories:- History of Merced County, California
- Buildings and structures in Merced County, California
- Theatres in California
- San Joaquin Valley
- Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in California
- 1931 architecture
- Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in California
- Visitor attractions in Merced County, California
- Event venues established in 1931
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