Empress Theatre (California) facts for kids
Empress Theatre
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| Location | 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo, California 94590 |
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| Coordinates | 38°06′08″N 122°15′28″W / 38.10223°N 122.25767°W |
The Empress Theatre is a super cool old building in downtown Vallejo, California. It was first built way back in 1911! This historic theatre was closed for almost 20 years after the big 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. But don't worry, it got a complete makeover and was made safe again.
The Empress Theatre reopened in 2008. Now, it's a non-profit place where you can watch movies, enjoy live shows, and even host your own special events. It's a true landmark in Vallejo!
Contents
The Theatre's Early Years: 1911-1912
The Empress Theatre was built in 1911 by a group called the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A local architect named William A. Jones designed it. Imagine a theatre with two levels, gold-leafed clouds on the ceiling, and comfy red velvet seats! It even had a special pipe organ.
The first managers, Abe Marks and Gus Cohen, came from San Francisco. People were really excited about the new theatre. The Vallejo Evening Chronicle newspaper thought it would be "one of the prettiest small theatres on the coast."
The Empress Theatre officially opened on February 14, 1912. It started with a fun vaudeville show. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts like singers, dancers, and comedians. There were two shows every night, plus extra shows on Saturdays and Sundays.
The theatre had 940 seats. Tickets were super cheap, only 10¢, 20¢, or 30¢! The ushers, who helped people find their seats, wore cool red military uniforms with gold trim.
A New Name: The Republic (1913-1915)
From 1913 to 1915, the theatre got a new management team called the Bert Levey Circuit. They wanted to make more money. To avoid confusion with another theatre they owned, they changed the name from the Empress to the Republic.
The Vallejo Theatre (1916-1928)
In 1916, Thomas O'Day took over the theatre. He spent $5,000 to make it even better. The theatre reopened as the New Vallejo Theatre. Guests loved the brand-new cushion seats!
Around 1920, a time called the Prohibition era began. During this time, it was against the law to make or sell alcohol. People started enjoying musical comedies and, later, "talking movies" (movies with sound!) as their main entertainment.
Big Changes and Challenges: 1929-1951
Becoming the Fox Senator (1929-1931)
In 1929, a big company called Fox West Coast Theaters took over. They completely updated the inside of the building. They spent $20,000 to install special equipment for "talking pictures." This brought the theatre into the modern age! Vaudeville shows became less popular as movies took over.
This was also the year of the stock market crash on October 24, 1929. This event led to a tough time called The Great Depression.
On March 28, 1930, a terrible fire badly damaged the theatre. It caused about $50,000 worth of damage. Most of the inside was destroyed, with only the outer walls and roof beams left. Fox West Coast thought about closing the theatre for good. But after looking at the damage, they decided it could be rebuilt!
In 1931, much of the inside was rebuilt. They changed how people walked through the theatre and where the seats were. This made it similar to other Fox theatres. They added a bright neon sign outside. They also added new restrooms and smoking rooms. The theatre reopened as the Fox Senator Theatre. It no longer showed stage plays, focusing only on movies.
Modern Updates (1951)
After World War II, Fox Theatre management wanted to update their theatres faster and cheaper. They created their own design team. They updated about 200 of their theatres to have a new look.
These updates included bright signs, metal panels, and cool display cases. They also added ticket booths that looked like jukeboxes. The inside had fancy decorations with wavy shapes and cloud-like designs. These designs were meant to draw your eyes toward the movie screen. The Fox Senator's lobby, entrance area, and main seating area were all updated with this new style.
New Owners and a Familiar Name: 1952-2003
The Crest Theatre (1952-1979)
In 1952, Ray Syufy bought the theatre and renamed it "The Crest." It showed movies on a single screen. However, it closed ten years later.
Between 1962 and 1978, the building was not well cared for. Then, in 1978, the Elliot family bought it. They were a well-known family in Vallejo.
The Empress Returns (1980-1989)
In 1980, the Elliott family lovingly brought the theatre back to life. They made it look like it did in the 1950s. The golden clouds on the ceiling returned, and so did its original name, the Empress!
The outside of the building was repainted. The "Empress Theatre" sign was painted above the entrance. Old window panels were uncovered and fixed. Seats from other Fox Theatres were saved and installed. The fancy decorations were re-gilded (made shiny with gold again). New carpets that matched the time period were laid down. The Empress was very popular throughout the 1980s.
The Loma Prieta Earthquake (1989)
On October 17, 1989, a powerful earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area. It was called the Loma Prieta earthquake. The Empress Theatre was badly damaged. Fixing the damage and making the building safe again was a huge job. Because of this, the theatre sat empty and unused for almost 20 years.
In 1990, the Empress Theatre was named Vallejo Landmark #17. This meant it was a very important historical building.
Between 2000 and 2003, the building had a few different owners. Finally, a company called Triad Communities bought the theatre. They planned to work with the City of Vallejo and the Vallejo Community Arts Foundation to bring it back to life.
Bringing the Empress Back to Life: 2004-2008
Preservation and Restoration (2004-2007)
In 2004, the Empress Theatre was bought by Empress Theatre Associates LLC (ETA). This was a special partnership between ETA/Triad, the City of Vallejo, and the Vallejo Community Arts Foundation. The official work to fix up the theatre began in April.
By 2006, the theatre was undergoing a huge restoration. This included making it safe from earthquakes while keeping its historic look. They also updated the stage, heating, and air conditioning systems. The lobby and restrooms got a big makeover. Even the 471 seats in the main auditorium were replaced!
On May 8, 2007, the new marquee (the big sign outside) was lit up for the first time.
The Grand Reopening (2008)
The Empress Theatre officially reopened with a regular schedule of performances in the Spring of 2008. It was a big moment for Vallejo!
In 2014, the ownership of the Empress Theatre was planned to be given to the City of Vallejo. This was part of the original plan to help the theatre thrive.
