Those who know me, also know it is no secret I am fascinated with Sacramento history. I've shuffled around this city long enough to remember old iconic structures, that have long since fallen like the leaves of Autumn, and disappeared.
This evening I would like to pay tribute to another historic Sacramento landmark, which is remembered fondly by many native Sacramentans. The Alhambra Theatre didn't survive the wrecking ball, which needed to make way for a new Safeway Store and parking lot.
"The Alhambra" was an enchantingly beautiful theatre, built in the moorish style in 1927. It's magnificent presence was located at 1025 Alhambra Boulevard, here in Sacramento. It was demolished in 1973.
It boasted fountains, elegance, and a pipe organ. The pipe organ was first relocated to the First Baptist Church in Stockton at the time of the demolition. It was later totally restored and relocated to Ironstone Winery in the Gold Country town of Murphys.
Here are a couple of pictures - The first is of the Theatre. The second is of the fountain which still exists to this day, on the east side of the parking lot of the Safeway store that stands on the site today.
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Hi Myrl,
I am also a native Sacramentan, but only know of the "Alhambra" through stories and photos. But I also consider myself a Folsomite, if I'm allowed to be native to both. I grew up in Folsom when it still had an A & W, not attached to Kentucky Fried Chicken (that is KFC). Folsom had only one signal, and three crosswalks. Saturday nights we would build bonfires around the lake. The closest shopping mall or movie theater was a 30 minute drive, and there was only one high school.
My have things changed. But, I still love the cities I grew up in. Folsom has more than tripled in size, but still has its charm. There's no place like home.
Hi Myrl,
What a treasure you are!!! I am sure people love hearing about the history of Sacramento. Great photos!!
Have a wonderful day,
Cherimie
Lisa - I know Folsom very well. How interesting that you speak about the A & W. As it turns out, during the 1960s, I was friends with Kay Inks, and her husband, Dennis Inks. They owned that very A & W, and ran it themselves. I always chuckled, because both Kay and Dennis have a certain sophistication, that you wouldn't normally find in an A & W. But there they were, both very young, and running that place very well themselves. Later, I think Dennis became a Mayor in Folsom. I saw them both recently, at a 90th birthday party for a woman, Kay and I were close to in our young lives. Folsom has grown unbelievably to a wonderful city - so much larger in size and scope than the small prison town of a few decades ago.
Cherimie - Thank you, thank you! Thanks for coming by for the visit.
Myrl, I love the old theatres. We have one here that has been restored and it is wonderful. Too bad they had to take this one down, but at least you still have the fountain.
Hello Myrl: Unfortunately, I did not live in Sacramento when the Alhambra was torn down, or you might have found me chained to the doors. I can't stand the thought of anybody tearing down historic structures. It's terrible that we so nonchalantly destroy the past and disguise it as the only way to make progress. I mean, can you imagine somebody tearing down Notre Dame to put up a Le Bon Marché? Parisians would be rioting in the streets.
Ann - I seem to have an affinity for old theatres too. I guess you could sum up my experience with them as being similar to the movie, "The Majestic."
When I was a kid, we could get into a Matinee, at the California Theater (chronicled a few days back on my blog), in Oak Park, for just 14 cents. They would show 2 late release movies, show the news and comics too. THEN - here was the magic, on Sunday, they changed the venue to 2 more movies, for the same 14 cent. My parents hardly saw me on weekends. I was in the California Theatre, the night it burned down. I had gone with a girlfriend to see Sophia Loren in "A Boy on a Dolphin." I left the theatre about 10:00 pm or so, and by midnight, it had burned down. I didn't know about it until the next morning, when my mother brought in the morning paper, "The Sacramento Union," which had headlined the story.
Elizabeth - During the 1970s, the destruction of the Alhambra was VERY controversial. The community was largely outraged by the decision to allow it to happen. I haven't been much of a fan of Safeway, since that time.
great use of local history to share something you love with consumers and express your knowledge of your local area, hope business is good for you
James - I periodically post local history things, so people remember. I often think these wonderful places will continue to exist, as long as the vision and memory of them dwells in our thoughts.
We have been fortunate in San Diego that two of our oldest and most historic theaters have survived the wrecking ball recently, but they came close several times. One's in downtown San Diego at Horton Plaza and the other is over in North Park. Both are used for community concerts and plays.
We have yet a third historic one, the Spreckels Theater, also in downtown San Diego, that has been in operation at least since 1993 when I came to San Diego. I've been privileged to have sung in it twice with the Gay Men's Chorus of San Diego.
Russel - At the time The Alhambra bit the dust, it was the 1970s. Back then, folks here in Sacramento, didn't seem to be quite as enlightened about the importance of our historical buildings. We do a little better job now. I'm glad San Diego values it's historic structures.
What a shame they couldn't save the building. We have an old art deco Iao Theater in Wailuku that has managed to survive, and it's such a treasure, being used by local theater groups.