Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium

[feltfan]

Stockton, CA.

Anyone else been there? What a gem. I visited it today
(for a state gymnastics competition). Built in 1925 and
surprisingly intact, down to a number of hall light fixtures,
seat backs, WW I commemorative plaques, etc. True 20s
design throughout.

Best of all?
The underside of each seat still has its wire
hat hanger intact! Of course I was the only attendee to use
one today, but wow, what a convenience. If only restaurants
and concert halls had them today. Let's bring 'em back!

Sorry, I didn't have my camera with me.

 

[jimmy the lid]

That had to be a great moment when you discovered the hat holders.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[feltfan]

That had to be a great moment when you discovered the hat holders.

You mean when my partner, who got there first,
laughed at me and she said, 'you're going to like this place!'.
Then I walked through and saw every seat in the house
still had its hat holder. So civilized and so unexpected!

Stockton is a troubled city, with what appears to be a
largely empty downtown filled with underutilized buildings
from the Golden Era. Facade after facade of stunning
terra cotta tiles and architectural exuberances, many
empty or boarded up. So much potential so far from
economic opportunity. If only they had a decent rail
connection to the San Francisco Bay Area. I hope to go
back soon, if only to take pictures of buildings and explore
the antique stores.