Fox Event Center
123 Cajon Street,
Redlands,
CA
92373
123 Cajon Street,
Redlands,
CA
92373
4 people
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Showing 26 - 34 of 34 comments
Here’s another picture from a different angle.
So this theater has been restored very nicely, albeit not perfectly. I’m just glad that it wasn’t razzed. It’s not on the national register but we locals have always loved this building. I own a shop 2 doors from the marquee on Cajon & I love it! It was a blessing that some interested parties finally renovated the place. Although the actual theatre was de-screened & de-seated it was not gutted out. If ever a preservationist movie buff moves in the room will be ready for it! Until then, at least it’s still standing!
The Fox was the local theatre of my childhood days in the seventies. It may have just been my youthful perspective, but I remember her as huge, impressive, and beautiful, though she was already well past her prime.
The place was massive, her already cavernous first floor supplemented with a large balcony area from which half-chewed Milk Duds were regularly jettisonned with glee. I recall the huge pillars that lined the aisles; a truly gigantic screen with its equally enormous curtain; even the carpet was classic, all garish colors, curlicues and flourishes. The Fox really gave you the sensation of what going to see a movie must have been like during Hollywood’s heydey. By the time I came on the scene, of course, she was lucky to fill a tenth of her seats at a showing.
Some time around 1982, the balcony was removed and converted into two smaller-screened theatres. I remember even then feeling that something important had been lost. Around 1988, she closed her doors, seemingly permanently. The marquee is still there to this day, and whenver I’m in town I like to drive past it and soak in the nostalgia.
It has always baffled me that nobody has yet restored this theatre. There are clearly enough moviegoers to support it — Krikorian recently opened a huge multiplex half a mile away — and given the size of the screen and the nostalgic appeal, you’d think it would be a sure thing. No doubt the huge price tag is what has kept investors away, as well as the amount of work that would have to go into restoration. The place has gone completely unused for nearly two decades, and must be in pretty nasty shape.
The Redlands Theatre opened in 1929 and was styled in a Mission Revival treatment on the interior.
It had a 40ft wide proscenium opening and a stage 32ft deep. In the 1940’s the stage house was converted into a seperate theatre, known first as the Grove, later the Rainbow. /theaters/9678/
Sad news, the Fox theater is NOT going to be restored by the new owners. The Rainbow Theater is officially demolished and the fate of the Fox Theater is yet to be determined, but it does not look good.
It is really great to see the progress being made on this landmark structure. Both the Fox and the Rainbow theatres (which will ultimately be only the Fox)are being finally cared for by people that have a higher purpose in life than just “turning a buck”. The new owners are to be complimented on their dedication to restoring the Fox to its earlier grandeur.
Everyone! – Your prayers have been answered. The Redlands Fox has been purchased by a couple of developers who too love the Fox and wishes to see live performances brought back. I was so excited about this, that I contacted them and created a website dedicated to the progress. Visit the following site at least once a week… http://www.redlandsfox.com
Just like TNRC75, I lived most of my youth in the Redlands area (the neighboring community of Yucaipa. I’ve been back to the area every couple of years or so, for a reunion or event of some kind, and I always drive by and wonder about this old theatre. I’m in Redlands today (8/10/02) attending the 30th anniversary of the Redlands Theatre Festival, and I stopped to actually take a walk around the building. I’ve thought for years that it would be wonderful to see that theatre restored and reopened. Whether it is restored to a classic condition, or to a new modern cinema, I think it would work and people would come. One vision I’ve had for it is to open it as a modern, combination art-house cinema and eatery such as has opened in cities like Seattle and Anchorage. I know this might offend those who view a classic restoration but I would support that idea too, if it were to happen. It just pains me to see that building boarded up. Just like TNRC75, I USED to think that Redlands was in the middle of nowhere, but after seeing downtown Redlands today, with the new businesses and the younger families that are moving here, I’m convinced that people would come to that theatre if it were re-opened. What can one do to make it happen? -Dennis
the theatre was built in 1927 but was not open until 1928 that is a common misconception the theatre itself sits in the middle of the block and is not visible to the naked eye because of many little shops in the way it has been there in this condition almost untouched scene 1975 when supposedly the new owners put 360,000 dollars into it to try and renovate it and because it was not enough rather than put the last 120,000 that it need at that time they called it quits the building itself is solid concrete and so has no problem weathering the sands of time it just needs a loving hand to nurse it back to health
I lived in Redlands a good part of my youth and this is a theater that is perfectly positioned to be the centerpiece of a restoration. Redlands has some cool old buildings and this is one of the best. It is fairly well kept and I suspect that the reason that no-one has offered to restore it, or that it hasn’t been restored is that Redlands is really in the middle of nowhere. It’s about half way between LA and Palm Springs and if you are looking at it as a business investment, maybe it’s not the most appealing location. However, I know when a couple of old buildings bordering the theater were used, they were very popular. I think that if the theater was restored that people would come.