There was a Colonial Theatre next door to the left of The Metropolitan Theatre that was in operation in 1912, but was gone by 1918.
1912 photo added showing both. Colonial Theatre CT page below.
This proves the Metropolitan Theatre opened prior to 1914.
June 11, 2025 credit the City of San Bernardino Municipal Government Facebook page.
“San Bernardino’s Historic California Theater Temporarily Closes for Major Improvements
The City of San Bernardino has announced that its historic California Theater for the Performing Arts temporarily closed on June 2 as the facility undergoes an $6.8 million renovation. The 1,700-seat theater, which is home to the San Bernardino Symphony, concerts, and national touring performances of Broadway productions, is expected to reopen in early October.
The theater, which was built in 1928, is on the National Register of Historic Places and earlier this year was named “Best Performing Arts Venue” by Inland Empire Magazine.
The planned improvements will both enhance the theater-going experience for attendees and provide the necessary upgrades to the 97-year-old building.
Improvements will include upgrades to the theatrical sound system, lighting, curtain, and controls. The heating and air conditioning will also be replaced, as well as the installation of new carpeting, interior and exterior painting, additional ADA compliance, architectural finishes and repairs, refinishing the auditorium floor, and upgrades to the street front facade.
The restoration of the theater’s Wurlitzer Style 216 pipe organ, completed earlier this year, was the first part of the project. Originally installed when the Theater first opened in 1928, it is one of only a few Wurlitzer organs remaining in the world.
Work on the $6,830,686 project is being performed by Tilden Coil Constructors and is being funded using City Measure S funds, Cultural Development funds, and a $2.5 million grant from the California Arts Council.”
Here is a 1925 photo of Travis Street as evidenced by the 9 story Bristol Hotel at 710 Travis Street via Facebook.
However there is a Majestic vertical sign across the street from it.
And the Iris appears to be the only theatre located on Travis Street.
Additionally history credit Ralph Grassi via below website with multiple images.
The drive-in theatre was the brainstorm of Richard M. Hollingshead who opened the very first drive-in theatre in Camden NJ on June 6, 1933. It wouldn’t be until 1950 that Cape May County would have its own drive-in. Mel Fox of Fox theatres out of Philadelphia opened the Wildwood Drive-In theatre on a 13.5 acre lot on Wildwood Blvd., in Rio Grande. With room for 470 automobiles - a Simplex X-L projector and a sound system with Simplex in-car speakers - the Drive-In was ready for its grand opening Friday, July 28, 1950 with the showing of “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now.” The Box Office opened at 7:30 P.M. with a 60 cent admission per car. Free popcorn was given to everyone on opening night. They ran two shows each night during the week and three shows nightly on weekends. The property was sprayed with DDT each week - or each night depending on who you talk to. That didn’t seem to stop the mosquitoes though. However, for the savvy moviegoer the (12 gauge) mosquito repellent would do a fair job of keeping the little critters in line!
1969 photo added with proper credit and description. Admins please remove below version.
https://cinematreasures.org/photos/440255
Per Candy Whitney Wagner: “Dai Roy for Daisy Whitney and Roy Whitney, my grandparents.”
The Mayan Theatre is closing the end of September via The Scene Star. Copy & paste link below.
https://thescenestar.typepad.com/ss/2025/07/the-mayan-theatre-in-downtown-los-angeles-to-close-this-fall-shut-down-closing-in-september.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawLigtFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGMUhzVThJOTBsVUtxYXc3AR5VDDmh23WZ1asQw6Nc-DqhdAcCplYDNX3G0_8cXkOrejzHLt3v1EkWgT1UVw_aem_d29KDajWaECYGk0_l2fspg
There was a Colonial Theatre next door to the left of The Metropolitan Theatre that was in operation in 1912, but was gone by 1918. 1912 photo added showing both. Colonial Theatre CT page below. This proves the Metropolitan Theatre opened prior to 1914.
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/72652
1956 post fire photo added credit Museum of the Great Plains. Marquee collapsed on the ground.
November 16, 1957 photo credit Museum of the Great Plains.
November 16, 1957 photo credit Museum of the Great Plains. `58 Fords on display.
1968, Jean Seberg in “Birds of Peru”.
36+ minute YouTube tour video of the vacant theater in January 2025. 13 photos in Facebook link below that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-planhbIp3w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-planhbIp3w
1937 and 1955 photos added to the gallery. Was named Skating Palace in the latter photo.
June 11, 2025 credit the City of San Bernardino Municipal Government Facebook page.
“San Bernardino’s Historic California Theater Temporarily Closes for Major Improvements The City of San Bernardino has announced that its historic California Theater for the Performing Arts temporarily closed on June 2 as the facility undergoes an $6.8 million renovation. The 1,700-seat theater, which is home to the San Bernardino Symphony, concerts, and national touring performances of Broadway productions, is expected to reopen in early October. The theater, which was built in 1928, is on the National Register of Historic Places and earlier this year was named “Best Performing Arts Venue” by Inland Empire Magazine. The planned improvements will both enhance the theater-going experience for attendees and provide the necessary upgrades to the 97-year-old building. Improvements will include upgrades to the theatrical sound system, lighting, curtain, and controls. The heating and air conditioning will also be replaced, as well as the installation of new carpeting, interior and exterior painting, additional ADA compliance, architectural finishes and repairs, refinishing the auditorium floor, and upgrades to the street front facade. The restoration of the theater’s Wurlitzer Style 216 pipe organ, completed earlier this year, was the first part of the project. Originally installed when the Theater first opened in 1928, it is one of only a few Wurlitzer organs remaining in the world. Work on the $6,830,686 project is being performed by Tilden Coil Constructors and is being funded using City Measure S funds, Cultural Development funds, and a $2.5 million grant from the California Arts Council.”
https://www.facebook.com/sbcitygov
April 2023 street view shows improvements over how it appeared in July 2022. There is a website on the marquee that is still active below.
https://springstheater.com/
1943 photo credit Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System.
It appears it was briefly the Alhambra Theatre in 1908, photo added courtesy Michigan Memories. Link below also indicates such.
https://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/movietheaters.aspx?id=719&type=5
1966-`68 photo as New Gayety added credit Richard Moritz.
A Memories of Stockton Facebook group post indicates the signage survived and is in storage as of about a year ago.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10233550214636598&set=g.225948760841919
Direct link to the Fine Arts Building History.
https://www.fineartsbuilding.com/history/
Photo credit Dale Ernsberger / The Tennessean.
Appears to be a Star Theatre beyond it, but not the same Star that later became Park Theatre.
Here is a 1925 photo of Travis Street as evidenced by the 9 story Bristol Hotel at 710 Travis Street via Facebook. However there is a Majestic vertical sign across the street from it. And the Iris appears to be the only theatre located on Travis Street.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=983806560576331&set=pb.100068409873955.-2207520000&type=3
Photo courtesy of the Chalberg Collection of Prints and Negatives / Austin History Center.
One on the left currently for sale on Marketplace.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1736888710372136/?rdid=iDI5BtgN5fD9ZlxD&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F14tp6UGsxh%2F
4/21/65 photo credit CDOT. Crisper version below.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=9557223401041518&set=gm.2514227405593721&idorvanity=392177154465434
Additionally history credit Ralph Grassi via below website with multiple images.
The drive-in theatre was the brainstorm of Richard M. Hollingshead who opened the very first drive-in theatre in Camden NJ on June 6, 1933. It wouldn’t be until 1950 that Cape May County would have its own drive-in. Mel Fox of Fox theatres out of Philadelphia opened the Wildwood Drive-In theatre on a 13.5 acre lot on Wildwood Blvd., in Rio Grande. With room for 470 automobiles - a Simplex X-L projector and a sound system with Simplex in-car speakers - the Drive-In was ready for its grand opening Friday, July 28, 1950 with the showing of “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now.” The Box Office opened at 7:30 P.M. with a 60 cent admission per car. Free popcorn was given to everyone on opening night. They ran two shows each night during the week and three shows nightly on weekends. The property was sprayed with DDT each week - or each night depending on who you talk to. That didn’t seem to stop the mosquitoes though. However, for the savvy moviegoer the (12 gauge) mosquito repellent would do a fair job of keeping the little critters in line!
http://funchase.com/Images/DriveIn/Drive-In.htm
1978 photo credit John Margolies. Crisper version with proper credit below.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10160401286146824&set=pcb.1801434777327505