AKA: Swain's Theatre, Downtown, Santa Cruz, CA; Unique Theatre, Downtown, Santa Cruz, CA

Structure Type: built works - performing arts structures - theatres

Designers: [unspecified]

Dates: [unspecified]

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1128 Pacific Avenue
Downtown, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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Overview

Like most theatres, several entities owned the Alisky Theatre over its years of operation, and they changed its name at least three times.

Building History

Charles W. Alisky may have been the first owner of the theatre operating at 1128 Pacific Avenue in Downtown Santa Cruz, CA. It was known as the Alisky Theatre before 1906. Alisky owned the Alaska Theatre in Sacramento, CA, contemporaneously.

In approximately 1906, Mack Swain, (born "Moroni Swain," 1876-1935), an actor, opened a theatrical and vaudeville venue, Swain’s Theatre, during a short period, between about 1906 and 1910. By about 1911, it had changed its name to the “Unique Theatre,” and was known under this name until it ceased operation in about 1936.

Shortly after the introduction of motion pictures with sound, the venue was known as the “Unique Vitaphone Theatre” in 1932.

Building Notes

According to the Cinema Treasures.org web site, the Unique Theatre seated 626 in the 1920s. (See Cinema Treasures.org, "Unique Theatre," accessed 09/19/2020.)

Demolition

Swain's Theatre was razed in either 1936 or 1937. (See Cinema Treasures.org, "Unique Theatre," accessed 09/19/2020.)

PCAD id: 23588