State Theatre (Red Bluff, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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State Theatre
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 333 Oak St., Red Bluff, California |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Cantin, Alexander A.; Cantin, Mackenzie A. |
| Architectural style | Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000372 |
| Added to NRHP | April 17, 2002 |
The State Theatre is a cool old movie theater in Red Bluff, California. It was built in a special style called Moderne. This theater was designed by two architects, Alexander A. and Mackenzie A. Cantin. It opened in 1946, replacing an older theater that had burned down.
For many years, the State Theatre was very important to its community. It was the only public stage in Tehama County until 1991. It was also the only movie theater in the area until 1993. What makes it extra special is that it was built during World War II, when it was hard to get building materials.
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The State Theatre's History
The State Theatre was built to replace an older building. That first building opened in 1908. It was known as the Orpheum Theatre or the Opera House. In 1928, it was updated and renamed the State Theatre.
Building a New Theater During Wartime
Sadly, the first State Theatre building burned down in 1944. People felt it was very important to build a new one. They thought a new theater would help keep everyone's spirits up during the war.
Construction started in April 1945. However, building was slow because of the war. It was hard to get the materials needed. Finally, the new theater opened its doors on May 24, 1946. It even had air conditioning, which was a big deal back then! The front of the theater was not finished exactly as planned. A fancier sign and front design were put off and never built.
Changes and Reopening
In 1980, the big theater space was divided. This allowed it to show two movies at once. It was divided again in 1992 to make even more screens.
The State Theatre closed in 1993. A newer, bigger movie theater with many screens had opened nearby. But the story didn't end there! In 1998, someone bought the old theater. They wanted to turn it into a place for community arts. After being fixed up, it reopened as the State Theatre for the Arts. It can now seat about 750 people for shows and events.
What the State Theatre Looks Like
The State Theatre is a one-story building. It sits on a corner where Oak Street and Washington Street meet. The main entrance for the theater is on Oak Street.
Outside the Building
The theater is made of concrete. The front of the building is a plain, two-story concrete wall. The original plans included a tall, fancy sign and a bigger marquee (the sign that shows what's playing). But these were never built.
Outside the main doors, there's a special area for the box office. This is where you buy tickets. The floor in this area is made of terrazzo, a cool type of flooring. Four sets of doors lead into the main lobby.
Inside the Theater
The inside lobby has been changed a lot over the years. The main auditorium was first designed to hold over 900 people. It had three different seating areas.
The seats closest to the stage are called orchestra seats. Behind them, there's a section called the loge, separated by short walls. At the very back, there's a sloped seating area. This is like stadium-style seating, where each row is higher than the one in front.
One of the most unique parts of the theater is its beautiful murals. These paintings show nymphs (mythical nature spirits) and horses. There are also basements under the stage and the lobby.
A Historic Landmark
The State Theatre is an important building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 17, 2002. This means it's recognized as a special place in American history.
See also
