Strand Theatre
161 Mill Street,
Grass Valley,
CA
95945
161 Mill Street,
Grass Valley,
CA
95945
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A Walking Tour Of Historic Grass Valley. GRASS VALLEY/NEVADA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
7. VAN’S OPERA HOUSE, 161 Mill Street. Now home to Hedman Furniture, this three-story stucco and stone building was built in 1890 by Pauline Van Hoeter. She sold it in 1894 to Charles Clinch of the Clinch Mercantile Co. For years, it was known as the Grass Valley Auditorium and many dramatic companies and musicians performed on its stage. Later, it became a movie theater known as The Strand.
Have uploaded a photo of the Strand Theatre on Mill Street. The photo places it Five building down from the domed bank building. Current occupied by Headman/Ashley Furniture, which has Grass Valley Auditorium in top window.
Also see Sanborn Map labeled Auditorium
The June 28, 1929 issue of the San Francisco Examiner celebrating the opening of the San Francisco Fox Theater states (on page 5) Herman Kersken, who managed the Strand Theater in Grass Valley, had been chosen to manage the Fox Theater in San Francisco.
“Contrasted sharply with his present position was Kersken’s first position as manager. It was at the obscure Strand Theater in Grass Valley. In the heart of the Mother Lode country, Grass Valley has only one principal street and Kersken’s only competition was the village minister.”
This suggests the Strand Theater was open prior to 1929 and could have had a location on Main Street.