Eureka Theater

This really is not a significant item in the history of the Eureka, but for me it is: This was the first theatre I ever took a picture of--in September of 1981, when I was just out of High School and beginning to get seriously interested in old movie theatres. I remember one of the movies on the marquee then was "Dragonslayer."

The architectural style of this theater is often erroneously defined. It is not art deco but streamline moderne. Art deco is quite geometric with sharp angular lines streamline moderne features flowing spaceship-like lines and the use of innovative new building materials like red glass, blue glass, neon and stainless steel.
These comments are in agreement with noted local authority Ted Loring Jr.

The Eureka Reporter article updates the restoration and workers have uncovered some interesting details during the ongoing restoration of this theatre.
http://www.eurekareporter.com/Stories/fp-01080403.htm

For those of you who are wondering what those interesting details are that Gregg is talking about, according to Gregg, they have uncovered the upstairs mural. When you walk up the curved stairs, there is this big wall next to you on the second floor landing that is curved. Throughout the years of modernization, this wall was left vacant covered by many layers of turquoise/sea green paint. I am assuming (judging by recommendations I have herd by a cal-trans woman I once gave a tour for) workers have steamed the paint on the wall and then they peeled it off. That is my assumption, but I could be wrong. From stories I have heard from our general manager who has worked there sometime in the 1950s, the mural was an enormous garden theme with a bench and a tree with branches that extended throughout the wall. I am told that if you look at it in a magic eye type of way, you should be able to see what I am talking about (some people I gave tours to was able to see this).

From, Chris Holmquist (Eureka Theater volunteer)

I just recently started volunteering at the theater again, and it appears that Gregg's claim about our theater is incorrect. He has us confused with the Daly Theater, which is where all of the news coverage is focues on.

Our new web site is www.eurkeatheater.org

Our new web site is www.eurkeatheater.org

First of all, an exterior view of the theater at:
www.preservationdirectory.com/photodatabase_theaters.html
Hope you enjoy it!!!!

2nd of all, why is Chris H.'s comment (above) posted twice?

i have lived in eureka my hole life, and one of the places that i would love to see re-opened to its origanal splender is the eureka theater. the first movie i ever saw alone, i saw at the eureka theater, on my 13th birthday, with my best freind. i would love for my children to be able to see the theater as i saw it. i have several freinds that also feel the same as i do about it. it was a sad day when i took my girls to the theater to see a shirly temple look alike contest. it looked so sad and dejected. i felt that it would bring back all those old feelings of wonder that i once had walking into that building. what i got was a very disapointed feeling when i saw all the buity covered with dust and stains. please open this wonderful place again. the people of eureka would love this as much as i would. pam

Didn't you see the status listing above Pam? It says we are open/renovating. As of now until sometime in August we are closed completely for some great renovations. We're not going to be closed forever. Once when we reopen for the public again in August, we will have some really great plans to present you with.

yes i saw the status listing. i just wanted to say how strong i felt about having the theater re-opened. i also wanted to let you all know why i feel the way i do. Is the theater going to be open for movies as it use to, or will there be other types of things going on there? please let me know as i will be waiting. also, when there is something going on there where will it be listed?

Couple color photos of the Eureka Theatre.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/Chuck1231/California%20Theatres/EurekaTheatreEurekaCa.jpg
Entrance & Box Office
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/Chuck1231/California%20Theatres/EurekaTheatreBoxOfficeEurekaCa.jpg

Many more photos of this theater can be seen here.

Pam. I agree with you, I as well as the whole county feel very strongly about this theater opening. I have very fond memories of it, as I am the youngest volunteer there. As my experience as a pastor's kid has taught me, I have no idea what the board of the theater has planned as far as what this theater is going to be used for now. All boards are very unpredictable and secretive. When something goes on there (event wise), it will definitely be publicised for sure. A lot of the board members there are prolific and serious people in the community, so they will make sure word of it gets out. I can't clarify anything like events and official decisions, so you would have to call the theater at 442-2970 for more info.

An exterior photograph of the Eureka Theatre here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moxette/82311336/

Hiya Folks!!
I worked around the corner from this lovely for about 5 years enduring all the parking tickets hahahaa....I am glad that the work continues on the old theater... it was neeto to be in the back alley and see the likes of Merle Haggard pull up in his tour bus and later come out to take a smoke umm i mean a breather lololol....anyway I am glad that the old gal is being used again...I do believe its been 5 years since they started holding the Dixyland Jazz festival activities there... and the occasional movie. I think there was a mistake earlier when someone said the movie closed in 1987 though... I saw Silence of the Lambs in 1991 for sure at this theater...I have to admit the theater had seen better days but it was open. I hope people continue to love it and take care of it....we have another theater just outside of Eureka that is just rotting away....its more modern than the Eureka theater...seems such a waste to have it just sitting there.

Here is another photo of the Eureka Theater.

Can someone tell me what is the basis for attributing this theatre to William B. David? Is there some kind of documentary evidence, such as plans on file at the City of Eureka building department or a newspaper article from the time it was built?

There was a full page ad in the 6-28-52 edition of the Humboldt Standard celebrating George Mann week for his 35 years in Eureka. Full staff lists are given for the Eureka, State, Rialto, Midway Drive-In, Fortuna and Arcata. I won't copy all the names here, but if someone is looking for an usher or candy girl around that time, let me know and I will look it up.

Here is a website that names William B. David as the architect of the Eureka Theater.

For the person that said that the theater is not an Art Deco style, I disagree. In 1993, the Eureka Theater received an ADSC (Art Deco Society of California) Preservation Award.

In April 2003, Bob Rickard received an ADSC Certificate of Appreciation for leading the effort to restore and preserve the Eureka Theater.

The ADSC's Preservation Awards honor those who have helped preserve and restore buildings and memorabilia from the Art Deco era, which flourished from the 1920's through the early 1940's.

This is a 2007 photo of the Eureka Theater.

Thanks, LM..... I still have family in Eureka, but don't make it up there as often as I'd like to. It's nice to see that the Theatre is starting to come around. I spent a *LOT* of afternoons and evenings at that place growing up.

In 2000 (?) my wife and I drove through this pleasant town and went into the EUREKA THEATRE.
It was good to see the restoration underway with scaffolding still in position but with room to still see a movie on the big screen.
Unlike SOME theaters, they were happy that I took some photos of their progress.
If you enjoy "art-deco" theaters, then cough-up your bucks and buy a ticket to support a local single screen house.

Here is a 1950s photo of the Eureka Theater.

This is a recent photo of the Eureka Theater.

Here is a 1958 ad from the Eureka Humboldt Standard:
http://tinyurl.com/3659z5

**Can someone tell me what is the basis for attributing this theatre to William B. David?**

recently; William B. David is listed as the architect in the article printed in the Humboldt Standard March 2, 1939. The day before the theater opened. I see you have a number of his theaters listed as your favorites, you may enjoy reading this pdf about him. http://groups.dcn.org/davishistory/4-davis-historic-preservation-resources/Varsity%20Context%20Flower%20Boxes%20-%20Letter%204-07.pdf

RedwoodResearcher:
Thanks for the newspaper citation (every little bit helps) and your response to my inquiry of a year ago. As you can see above, I had other responses at the time, and also did more research. And as it happens, I am acquainted with the author of the Davis Historical Society PDF file that you cite above, which incorporates my research in the year since my Feb 2007 inquiry here.

Here is a 1985 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cx6kgd

Here are some 1986 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Photo4

Photo5