The owners of the Senator Theatre were the Nasser Brothers--William, Elias and George--and Michael Naify, who, in 1927-1928, commissioned Miller and Pflueger to design three theatres in the small CA towns of Tulare, Chico and Oroville. The two-story, stucco-faced Senator Theatre had very unusual styling, influenced by the Art Deco but also containing other exotic ornamental touches. Some of the elements seem to derive from Asian or Middle Eastern origins. Its strongly vertical, stepped tower, topped by a remarkable crystalline cupola, served as a beacon for passing motorists. Unlike California's typical Spanish Colonial designs of the period which featured arched first floors, the Senator had faceted arches. At least one wall of the building was of reinforced concrete construction.

PCAD id: 1073