Merced Theatre (Merced, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Merced Theatre
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| Location | 301 W. Main St., Merced, California |
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| Area | 0.52 acres (2,100 m2) |
| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | James William Reid, Merritt Jonathan Reid |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial style |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000248 |
| Added to NRHP | May 1, 2009 |
The Merced Theatre is a very special and historic building in Merced, California. You can find it at 301 W. Main Street. This theatre was a super important place for fun and culture in Merced for many years. It was especially popular from the 1930s, during the Great Depression, all the way through the time after World War II.
The theatre is also famous for its cool mix of building styles. It combines Art Deco and Spanish Colonial style. Because of its history and unique look, the Merced Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on May 1, 2009. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
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Designing a Dream Theatre
The Golden State Theatre Company wanted a fantastic new theatre. They hired two famous architects, the Reid Brothers, from San Francisco. These brothers also designed another well-known building, the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California.
Modern Features and Fun
When they designed the Merced Theatre, the Reid Brothers used the newest technology. This included the best systems for showing movies and playing sound. It was also one of the very first buildings in Merced to have air conditioning. Imagine how cool that was!
The theatre also had amazing special effects. They created "atmospheric features" inside. This meant they used special ventilators to make "clouds" float across the ceiling. The ceiling itself looked like a night sky with twinkling stars. It made going to the movies a truly magical experience.
Building the Merced Theatre
A builder named Gian Battista Pasqualetti brought the Reid Brothers' design to life. He used strong steel from the Golden Gate Iron Works. Beautiful decorative iron came from the San Jose Iron Works. Colorful, fancy tiles were from the Hispano Maresque Tile Company in Los Angeles.
The theatre is a multi-level building. It has a strong steel frame and is made of reinforced concrete. The outside is covered in white stucco.
A Towering Landmark
A tall tower rises above the theatre's entrance. It's about 100-foot (30 m) high. On top of the tower, bright orange neon letters spell out "MERCED." This sign is so big and bright that you can see it from miles away. It's a real landmark for the city.
Inside the Theatre
When you step inside the Merced Theatre, you enter a beautiful lobby. One of the first things you might notice is a large mural. This painting shows scenes of Spanish exploration. It was created by a talented artist named Antoon Bonaventure Heinsbergen, who was born in the Netherlands.
Original Style and Seating
The lobby also has some of its original furniture. These are Spanish-style wooden sofas and chairs. They add to the theatre's classic and elegant feel.
When the theatre first opened, it was very large. It could seat 1,645 people for both movies and live shows. For a while, the Merced Theatre was part of the United Artist chain of theatres.
Restoration and Today
In the early 1980s, the theatre was changed. It was divided into four smaller sections. This meant the balcony was cut off from the main seating area. Over time, the theatre started to show its age.
However, the Merced Theatre has since been fully restored. It now looks much like it did when it first opened, with a single large stage and screen. Today, the theatre is a busy place. It hosts a full season of touring shows and films for everyone to enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Merced para niños
