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San Diego's California Theater, which has been approved for demolition. A very fun explore. Interesting approach and entry and once inside there is more than just the theater to explore. Very cool, large space. To my knowledge it is around 100 years old and closed couple decades ago. Since then pigeons have infested and water damage has destroyed ceilings. Overall still in great condition considering the damage most spots on this forums are in. Seats 2,200 about and had to watch out for asbestos. bird poop, and that nasty black mold. Also, large open spaces with no outside light call for flood lights, so had to come prepared. While exiting my brother and I were stuck for a bit while city works took a break below our exit. Didn't help it was on a city street and was daytime. I recon that this is enough information, considering there aren't many explorers from San Diego on here. But overall I was super glad I was able to explore this historic site and sad to see it go soon. I believe The Beatles performed here. Below are some pictures:
1.
 The projector room had to have a toilet because manning the film meant you couldn't leave and had to stay on duty, so you had to poop without going all the way to the bathroom. Also the grey containers seen were used for the storage of film rolls to be used in projectors.
2.
 These gaint things were the projectors behind all the seats in the back room, very similar to a movie theater today. Very old machines but cool because they still are preserved.
3.
 Always cool to find documents. Not sure how this would be real but it's mindblowing if this is really dated from 1958. Also cool to see how it says Fox Theatre.
4.
 San Diego tribune from the 90's found the the back rows of the theater.
5.
 The front main room near the front desk and front doors. Stairs lead to the balcony seating and other doors lead to the ground floor seating.
6.
 The ceiling, with very pretty and fancy designs, falling out due to water damage over time.
7.
 From the balcony, looking down at the stage, these sure would have been good seats.
8.
 From the very top back of the theater, these seats would've been terrible. Just helps you see how large it was.
9.
 Another angle just because the architecture and how well it has been preserved was so fabulous!
The pictures aren't great (I haven't edited any yet) because I just wanted to get in and out sorta quick. The place was sorta creepy. But none the less, this place hasn't been touched by humans in years! Such an amazing explore. I might add some more pictures later because there was a lot more to see than just what I've uploaded, or I'm just getting lazy.... maybe its all that black mold.
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Now this right here is what UE is all about. This is an amazing set and you've got all the details and info that we crave.
L@@k at the dust on that toliet seat, lolololol.
If you could, I'd really like to see more photos of the projector
http://www.flickr....rescueme1060/sets/
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Awesome set! I've been really curious about this place and I'm now regretting writing it off when I was down there.
And I second the request for more shots of the projector! Was it too dark to get anything of the screen from the booth?
Stealth: adj. designed in accordance with technology that makes detection difficult. Wraith: n. A wisp or faint trace of something |
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Dang it--I want to go there so bad!
https://www.flickr...9618494@N05/albums |
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Posted by RescueMe1060
Now this right here is what UE is all about. This is an amazing set and you've got all the details and info that we crave.
L@@k at the dust on that toliet seat, lolololol.
If you could, I'd really like to see more photos of the projector
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bump
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Excellent mission
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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the first PSW thread in a long ass time that is actually worth looking at, reading about and day dreaming of how it used to look.
http://www.flickr....rescueme1060/sets/
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Great post and quite the explore! The theater interior looks similar to a site I went to once, that was unfortunately cut short due to the discovery of an alarm in the building...
Check out my photo blog! |
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Posted by insainly sound
Great post and quite the explore! The theater interior looks similar to a site I went to once, that was unfortunately cut short due to the discovery of an alarm in the building...
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If i'm correct in my assumption of the spot you speak of based on your location, the alarm goes directly to the nearby police station. Anyway, absolutely gorgeous set of photos. It's so refreshing to see the absence of graffiti and the sign of any other hooligans breaking shit.
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Love me a movie palace. Did you go into the organ chambers? That place used to have a sizable theater organ in it!
When there is tranquility, you are in the right place. When there are no footprints, you are on the right path. When there are no tire tracks, you are on the right road. |
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Thank you all for the kind words about my post! Here are several more random photos as some of you requested. Unfortunately, I didn't get any better photos of the projectors than those already seen on my post. It was really neat to see the projectors in their place from so long ago, untouched. These machines really are pieces of the past, and it was very cool to push and pull the various buttons and levers on the projectors just how one would have controlled it decades and decades ago. I regret not getting any better photos of the projects or other historical artifacts, I will say, as far as the american entertainment goes. It would be cool to research the projectors and see any more information on them, if anyone has any information. They really should be valued because I know the building may be in its final days. Also, thank you all again for such nice feedback on my post, I really appreciate it. If anyone knows any other history or information please tell!
Here are a couple articles simply found by Google search for reference:
new building approved:
http://www.sandieg...0170404-story.html
preservation group sues (published today):
http://www.sandieg...0170523-story.html
Sorry there are so many photos
1. There were lots of dead pigeons, and poop....
2. My brother checking out one of the projectors
3. You can see some sort of mirror on the back door of the projector, which was open.
4. Wirebox number 1
5. Wirebox number 2
6. Maybe instructions on the side of the projector?
7. Some sort of audio machinery.
8. The seats were in alright shape. In some spots though where water clearly leaked through the roof, the cushions were completely deteriorated.
9. More theater pictures.
10. Similar to picture 11
11. An up close shot of the side of a projector. They were huge. I really wish I knew more about them.
12. Some sort of electrical box next to one of the projectors, maybe Singplex is the brand.
13. The very front entrance still had the cases where you put the movies and shows that were playing.
14. Fancy entrance.
15. Fancy staircase.
16. I believe these are the organ chambers mentioned. Pretty cool, I didn't go inside though. How crazy would that be if the organ remained.
17. Another theater picture.
18. Backstage, the the ropes,weights and lights used for hanging and lighting props and backdrops were still hanging, I didn't dare check to see if they had a catwalk....
19. Interesting wallpaper
20. The back of the theater had like 9 stories of offices, not sure what they were used for or why they were connected, but they were interesting and were mostly empty like this, so I only included this picture.
21. Weird roof thingy, finally able to take my headlamps off and get fresh air. I doubled up with headlamps.
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The projectors are carbon rod arc; the carbon rods are self feeding and rotate for an even burn. They produce an intense point light source.
[last edit 5/25/2017 10:07 PM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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dayyyyyum you were holding out on us with all those extra pictures.
top notch
http://www.flickr....rescueme1060/sets/
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These are amazing. Thanks for sharing more!
Stealth: adj. designed in accordance with technology that makes detection difficult. Wraith: n. A wisp or faint trace of something |
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Just curious, why no respirator?
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Posted by dustbuster
Just curious, why no respirator?
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Why wear one?
A paper mask be enough or none... just don't stir up the dust!
Avoid kicking up the dust of droppings of any kind especially if climbing.
That can make you real sick, real fast.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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I always wear a respirator. Lead and mold are also a concern on top of asbestos. Better safe than sorry.
Before jumping to conclusions, I'm not a Nazi. |
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Posted by Landser
I always wear a respirator. Lead and mold are also a concern on top of asbestos. Better safe than sorry.
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Lead? Not an airborne issue unless it's something like a lead smelter.
You can't get lead poisoning from paint unless you really work at it... with like with a belt sander or sand blaster.
Even then you need to eat a lot.
I've handled lots of lead over the decades; it's not that dangerous.
Unless you heat above 1100 degrees and breathe the fumes or literally eat it.
It takes more than a nose full of lead paint dust to do it... I'm talking about sanding it!
Mold? What about your clothes!
Places that demand that much gear shouldn't be entered.
Haunta Virus is a concern as are fungal diseases found in pigeon shit.
A simple paper dust mask works for those and keeping your hands out of it.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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Nice work Taddy! The videos you sent me looked so fun
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Gunna dogpile on this one and throw in my congrats and appreciation of a job well done. It's exclusive, it's old af, it's gorgeous, and the shots look great. Thanks for sharing.
http://photos.btraut.com |
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One of the best explores to be posted in PSW.
A great dive into a historic and untouched location. Well thought out images and a little background about the location. Solid!
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Ethics
