This cache is
part of a series of caches dedicated to the reminiscence and
admiration of Roseville’s early
dwellers. It is part of
a series of caches
called:
“CACHE
OUT IN ROSEVILLE”
Back
in 1864, on the land where the Tower Theater now stands, there was
an oak grove and a campground referred to as
“GYPSY
PLAYGROUND”
.
In 1890, a Victorian
residence was built on the
site. In 1930, the
residence became an office for the Justice of the Peace, where many
early Rosevillers probably took that
giant step of
matrimony. In 1940, the
Tower Theater was erected on the site, and this was the last major
building activity in Roseville for about 5 years due to World War
II.
After
the war ended, building restrictions were gradually lifted, and
plans for a new “Press
Tribune” building at 530 Vernon Street were drawn
up.
America was more than
eager to resume its love affair with the
automobile. Both
Riverside Avenue and Vernon Street were located along the direct
routes of Highways 40 and
99. And they were in
particularly good locations to take advantage of a renewed demand
for automobiles and automotive
products. The area just
south of Tower Theater became known as “Automotive
Row”. There was a new
Chrysler-Plymouth sales facility in the 600 block of Vernon
Street. A Buick agency
was built on Judah Street near
Vernon. Also in the
area were Crockard Chevrolet and W.L.
Braden’s Pontiac
garage.
For many years the Tower was the “in spot” for many Roseville
residents of all ages.
With the decline of movies after television appeared on the scene,
the Tower, like so many other movie houses, suffered declining
attendance and finally
closed.
In
1989, the theater was donated by Angelo
Tsakopoulos to the City of Roseville to
promote the arts. In
1995, the exterior and lobby of the Tower Theater went thru an
extensive renovation.
The interior has been turned into a theater in the round (although
it’s actually square).
The Tower Theater is part of the “Magic Circle Theater”, taking
turns producing great theatrical productions along with the
Roseville Theater a few blocks to the
north.
If
you can spare any time out from
geocaching, visit the
Tower. Check out the
old ticket booth, complete with a safe, and all kinds of buttons to
push – except the missing
one. Admire all the
tile work. Examine the
colorful, inlaid patterns on the ground around the ticket
booth. Look at
all the colors on this building – it’s amazing!
It’s a fine example of Art-Deco style and memories of
yesteryear.
(
information
from:
“The Story of Roseville,
California .. Milestones & Memories 1850-2000”, by Leonard
M. Davis)
This cache is
long and flat.
There is some room for small trade
items. For hints, see
the movie posters below or decipher the
clue. You may need to
rely on your dramatic skills to ward off strange looks from nearby
muggles passing
by. After all – that’s
what the theater’s all about – great
acting! Free parking
available on the street.