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Overview

This Spanish Colonial Revival building was completed in 1927, and demonstrated a higher degree of archaeological authenticity than more cursory reproductions built during the Mission Revival era. Architect Arthur B. Benton (1858-1927) emulated the front facade of Mission San Antonio de Padua, a Franciscan establishment located near Jolon, CA, in Monterey County. This was a favorite of the owner of the Mission Playhouse #2, John Steven McGroarty (1862-1940). McGroarty wrote the three-hour performance, "The Mission Play," that dramatized the founding of California's Missions. The Mission Play became a hit, and ran from 1912 into the 1930s, seen by about 2.5 million spectators. McGroarty built this second theatre specifically to stage this production.

This public auditorium featured two stepped parapets on its entry facade, a fine example of the Spanish Colonial Revival Style.

PCAD id: 11994