Fillmore Towne Theatre

Fillmore Towne Theatre

  • The Barnes Theatre 1916-1926
  • The Stearns Theatre 1926-1931
  • The Fillmore Theatre 1931-1971
  • The Fillmore Towne Theatre 1971-1994

Address 338 Central Avenue
Fillmore, California
Coordinates 34°23′59.65″N 118°54′48″W / 34.3999028°N 118.91333°W / 34.3999028; -118.91333Coordinates: 34°23′59.65″N 118°54′48″W / 34.3999028°N 118.91333°W / 34.3999028; -118.91333
Operator City of Fillmore (1996-2011)
Capacity 325
Screens 1
Current use Available for lease
Construction
Opened 2 October 1916 (1916-10-02)
Closed 2011 (2011)
Rebuilt 1996
Years active 1916-1994
Website
fillmoreca.com/theatre.htm

Fillmore Towne Theatre is located at 338 Central Avenue in Fillmore, California and is a central landmark of the town. The theatre stopped showing feature films in April of 2011 as the city budget could no longer make up the shortfall. The theatre is available for special events or for lease.[1][2]

History

The single-screen theater was used to show silent films and the stage area was used for vaudeville. Mary Pickford performed here.

Built in 1916, the Fillmore Towne Theatre has gone through numerous owners as well as several names. Previously known as Barnes, Stearns, Fillmore, this theater has gone through two fires and an earthquake.[3]

After the 1994 Northridge earthquake the City of Fillmore purchased the building. Though extensive fund raising by citizens in the Save the Towne Theatre Committee, as well as federal and state grants, such as those given by the State Historic Preservation Office, the theatre was restored.[4][5] After the restoration (costing in excess of $1 million), it reopened in 1996. The latest movies were shown until the city decided to close it in 2011.[6][7]

Structure

This single-screen theater was renovated in 1994, with new seats and carpet, as well as a live stage in order to restore its vaudeville roots. It currently has a total of 325 seats: 280 seats on the main floor and an additional 45 on the balcony that overlooks the stage.

References

  1. ↑ "Welcome to the Fillmore Town Theatre" City of Fillmore Accessed 18 May 2014
  2. ↑ McLeod, Jean (April 13, 2011)"Fillmore Town Theater closing down after this weekend" The Fillmore Gazette
  3. ↑ The Historic Fillmore Towne Theatre at the Wayback Machine (archived 15 May 1998)
  4. ↑ Pancho, Doll (March 16, 1995) "Film Mementos to Be Sold for the Towne Theatre" Los Angeles Times
  5. ↑ McDonald, Jeff (August 10, 1994). "City Maps Restoration of Its Historic Theater". Los Angeles Times.
  6. ↑ Green, Nick (November 01, 1996) "Show Finally Goes On at Historic Theater" Los Angeles Times
  7. ↑ Zoltak, James (April 13, 2011) "Fillmore council votes to close landmark theater" Ventura County Star
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