I received an e-mail from Pamela Miller regarding the FIRST Lynwood Theatre:
I am searching for some information on a theater that was built by Mrs. R. T. Vilven in Lynwood. Mrs. R. T. Vilven was Gertrude, the wife of my grandmother’s uncle, Richard Tanton Vilven
I have an article from the Long Beach Press-Telegram:
Fine New Theater At Lynwood Opens Its Doors Tonight
Lynwood, California, August 14
Lynwood’s beautiful new theater, built and owned by a woman, with a woman’s orchestra, women ushers and women in the box office, will open to the public this evening.
The new place of amusement is probably the largest and nost elaborate between Los Angeles and Long Beach and will be opened with fitting ceremonies which will include the personal appearance of representatives of the Hollywood moving picture studios.
Mrs. R. T. Vilven, a pioneer resident and business woman of Lynwood, is the moving spirit of the new enterprise which is meeting a hearty welcome from the people of this community which has heretofore been without a moving picture house.
The theater will seat approximately 1000 persons. It is located on Long Beach Boulevard, at Elmwood Avenue and is seventy-five feet by 135 feet in size, the building alone, exclusive of all furnishings, costing in excess of $35,000.
The theater is elaborately furnished and will rank, it is said, with amusement house in places many times the population of Lynwood.
-Long Beach Press-Telegram.
Here is a photo I found….I believe Gertrude is the woman on the left….but that is just from memory of other photos I have seen. I believe she had died by 1919.
Note: I’ll forward Ms. Miller a link to this page. I think we can say that Gertrude was alive at least through mid-1925. Perhaps a separate page is in order for the first of the two Lynwood Theatres?
Thanks, Hollywood 90038 for all the great photos!
I see in the 1929 city directory that there was a Link Theatre at 4483 Telegraph. Same building with a slightly different number?
I received an e-mail from Pamela Miller regarding the FIRST Lynwood Theatre:
I am searching for some information on a theater that was built by Mrs. R. T. Vilven in Lynwood. Mrs. R. T. Vilven was Gertrude, the wife of my grandmother’s uncle, Richard Tanton Vilven
I have an article from the Long Beach Press-Telegram:
Fine New Theater At Lynwood Opens Its Doors Tonight
Lynwood, California, August 14
Lynwood’s beautiful new theater, built and owned by a woman, with a woman’s orchestra, women ushers and women in the box office, will open to the public this evening.
The new place of amusement is probably the largest and nost elaborate between Los Angeles and Long Beach and will be opened with fitting ceremonies which will include the personal appearance of representatives of the Hollywood moving picture studios.
Mrs. R. T. Vilven, a pioneer resident and business woman of Lynwood, is the moving spirit of the new enterprise which is meeting a hearty welcome from the people of this community which has heretofore been without a moving picture house.
The theater will seat approximately 1000 persons. It is located on Long Beach Boulevard, at Elmwood Avenue and is seventy-five feet by 135 feet in size, the building alone, exclusive of all furnishings, costing in excess of $35,000.
The theater is elaborately furnished and will rank, it is said, with amusement house in places many times the population of Lynwood.
-Long Beach Press-Telegram.
Here is a photo I found….I believe Gertrude is the woman on the left….but that is just from memory of other photos I have seen. I believe she had died by 1919.
Note: I’ll forward Ms. Miller a link to this page. I think we can say that Gertrude was alive at least through mid-1925. Perhaps a separate page is in order for the first of the two Lynwood Theatres?