Plaza Theatre

The Plaza Theatre was one of the smaller theatres left over from the early part of THAT century, which of course, had Vaudeville. The same pertained for the Cabrillo Theatre next door, ALSO ON THE CITY PLAZA in Downtown San Diego. The ALLEY behind also served the LYCEUM THEATRE over on the next street, which was an obvious PLUS for Stage shows loading or unloading AT THE 3 THEATRES.If memory serves me right, this was the ONLY ALLEY DOWNTOWN, AND WAS ONLY one block long! IT WAS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PLACE for FAVORITE films, showing 3 features, changing twice a week, and “OPEN ALL NIGHT”.The Plaza had a beautiful little design containing a balcony which curved into the sides like a horseshoe. I was, and to this day I am STILL upset by the fact that they tore out and remodeled the ENTIRE PLAZA, replacing it with the most HIDEOUS MALL REPLACEMENT one could ever NOT imagine!! Lastly, I would like to add this: The Plaza in my opinion, had the most BEAUTIFUL marquee in town! I sure miss the place, along with the other theatres, especially the PALACES of YESTERYEAR…

Walter S. Keller was the architect of the Plaza Theatre, according to his page at the University of Washington’s Pacific Coast Architecture Database. He also designed the Cabrillo Theatre next door.

Here is a 1981 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/y2taez5