El Rancho Theatre
16856 C Street,
Victorville,
CA
92392
16856 C Street,
Victorville,
CA
92392
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According to the Victorville Daily Press, Jack Baldock, a long-time community leader, built the El Rancho Theatre, wich opened on July 26, 1950, near where he closed his Victor Theatre. Baldock also owned the Mesa Theatre and the two drive-ins in Victorville. Baldock operated the El Rancho Theatre until he reluctantly closed it on May 20, 1984.
Vintage photographs show the theatre was often decorated with large banners and posters for special movies such as “Planet of the Apes”. Old-timers remember it for its many kiddie shows. A monthly program calendar from May of 1953 and a newspaper article with a photograph of Baldock sitting inside the auditorium near the time it closed can be seen at the Route 66 Museum, a few blocks away.
The building’s mid-century modern exterior, with poster cases and marquee intact is in fair but restorable condition and is now home to a Christian center.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
Plans for the El Rancho Theatre were announced in the July 16, 1949, issue of Boxoffice Magazine. The architect was named Howell Ewald.
Photo of the El Rancho II
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Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/lf8oau
Here is a more recent photo. The address should be changed to 6th and C Streets.
http://tinyurl.com/yf8xsmz
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yl4ur5b
Judging from that photograph, the address is 16856 C Street.
Twinning described in this 1977 trade report: Boxoffice