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Overview

Building History

William H. Smith operated the Alhambra Theatre #1 when it opened on 05/22/1868. The builder Alonzo Gray was credited in a San Francisco Examiner article of 05/21/1868 with the building's design. According to this article, "Robert Stackhouse designed and superintended the inner work." (See "Local. The Alhambra--Description of the Theatre," San Francisco Examiner, 05/21/1868.) Presumably this meant that Stackhouse designed the auditorium and its stage operations.

Construction probably began in late 1867, with the cornerstone laying occurring on 02/13/1868. A brief notice ran in the Marysville Daily Appeal: "The corner stone of the Alhambra Theatre was laid to-day with appropriate ceremonies. General Cobb officiated as master of the ceremonies." (See "Our San Francisco Dispatch," Marysville Daily Appeal, vol. XVII, no. 38, 02/14/1868, p. 3.)

By 09/1868, Smith had a partner, a man named "Hentz" in the theatre's operation. J.B. Badger was listed as the business manager. (See "New Alhambra Theater" advertisement, San Francisco Chronicle, 09/10/1868, p. 4.) It appears that Smith and his partners ran into financial difficulties by 1868-1869, as they could no longer pay their rent. A legal notice appeared in the Daily Alta California newspaper on 06/09/1869: “Joseph O’Neil and George Dickson vs. William H. Smith and others.—Plaintiffs and one Alonzo M. Gray, on the first day of May, 1868, demised by a lease to defendants the Alhambra Theatre, and one store on the ground floor next east of the main entrance, for the period of five years, for the monthly rent of $1,025 for two years, and for $1,075 for the period of three years. Plaintiffs pray judgment for the sum of $3,000 damages, for the detention of said premises; also for the sum of $1,725 rent due and unpaid, and for the restitution of said premises, and that the damages may be trebled, together with the costs of this action.” (See “County Court—McKinstry, J.,” Daily Alta California, vol. 21, no. 7021, 06/09/1869, p. 2.)

The Alhambra Theatre #1 referred to itself as the "New Alhambra Theater" in advertising of 1869. On 02/10/1869, it was owned and managed by William H. Smith and Company. In the San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1869, however, O.H. Hixon was listed as the proprietor. (See San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1869, p. 67.) It is possible that the property changed hands between 02/1869 and when the directory was published; publication of city directories often occurred in the springtime.

From at least 1877 until 1888, the Alhambra Theatre was known as the "Bush Street Theatre." (See "The Mimic World: Reminiscences of an Old Californa Actor and Manager," Daily Alta California, vol. 42, no. 14207, 07/29/1888, p. 2. It was llisted as the "Bush Street Theatre" in the San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1879, p. 935.)

Charles E. Locke, a bric-a-brac and antique furniture and statuary dealer at 25 Geary Street, also managed the Bush Street Theatre between at least 1878 through 1882. (See San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1878, p. 525, The San Francisco Directory for the year commencing April, 1880, p. 557 and San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1882, p. 607.) Locke also promoted the California appearances of the Irish playwright Oscar Wilde during 03-04/1882.

Demolition

The Alhambra Theatre #1/Bush Street Theatre was razed.

PCAD id: 20687