Interestingly, the city directories of the time never listed the theatre as the “Liberty.” The first mention of the Vista Theatre is in the 1921 San Diego City Directory. At this time the theatre was located in the City of East San Diego, a separate municipality from San Diego. The two cities merged in December 1923 to become San Diego. In 1926, San Diego renumbered the street blocks in this community, so the original (East San Diego) address of 4053 University avenue changed to the current 4201 University avenue. By January 1937, the building was listed as “For Sale” in the San Diego Union newspaper. It eventually became a candy shop, then a furniture store, and is now a budget store. The exterior has been slightly modified over the years, but is still recognizable today.
Interestingly, the city directories of the time never listed the theatre as the “Liberty.” The first mention of the Vista Theatre is in the 1921 San Diego City Directory. At this time the theatre was located in the City of East San Diego, a separate municipality from San Diego. The two cities merged in December 1923 to become San Diego. In 1926, San Diego renumbered the street blocks in this community, so the original (East San Diego) address of 4053 University avenue changed to the current 4201 University avenue. By January 1937, the building was listed as “For Sale” in the San Diego Union newspaper. It eventually became a candy shop, then a furniture store, and is now a budget store. The exterior has been slightly modified over the years, but is still recognizable today.