- Minor Theater
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The Minor Theater, at dusk
The Minor Theater, located at 1015 H Street in Arcata, California, is one of the oldest buildings in the United States built for feature films that is still open and showing movies.[1][2] It was the first building in Humboldt County to be built as a "true movie theater."[3]
Contents
History
The theater was built by Isaac Minor for a cost of $20,000. Ground was broken for the building of the theater on April 2, 1914, and the project was finished in November of that year, built in reinforced concrete for structural safety and fire-resistance. The grand opening was December 3rd, 1914. It closed in 1938 and reopened in the 50s. It closed again in the 60s due to the popularity of television and reopened again in 1972. The trap door that Houdini used is still there.[4]
The orchestra had room for twelve musicians. "The stage measured 25 to 43 feet and had an upward slope of three inches to the rear and was large enough to accommodate a large theatrical company or a chorus of at least 75 people."[5]
It was purchased in 1971 from the Minor family by a group of Humboldt State University graduates[6], notable among them David Philips, one of the founding students of the Humboldt Film Festival.
The Arcata City Council approved renovations in January, 1989.[7]
The facility was leased by Coming Attractions Theatres in 2006. It is currently a triplex and seats 461.
The Minor theater has housed the Humboldt Film Festival on multiple years.
Notes
- ^ The Minor Theater: The Oldest Movies-Only Theater in the United States
- ^ The Minor as a Major Player; Historic moviehouse alive with vivid color and rich soundfield
- ^ The Story of the Minor Theater
- ^ http://www.humboldt1.com/~bbn/trump2/ArcataHistoryVol2b.html
- ^ Old theatre keeps Minor name alive
- ^ "A Love Affair With Film"
- ^ Access dispute may spur court action for Arcata Theatre
See also
External links
- Minor Theater is at coordinates 40°52′12″N 124°05′12″W / 40.869965°N 124.086654°WCoordinates: 40°52′12″N 124°05′12″W / 40.869965°N 124.086654°W
- The story of the Minor Theater - North Coast Journal
- A Love Affair with Film - North Coast Journal
- Coming Attractions Theatres
Categories:- California Historical Landmarks
- Cinemas and movie theaters in California
- Arcata, California
- Buildings and structures in Humboldt County, California
- Event venues established in 1914
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