Fillmore Towne Theatre


Fillmore Towne Theatre is located at 338 Central Avenue in Fillmore, California and is a central landmark of the town. The theatre stopped showing feature films in April 2011 as the city budget could no longer make up the shortfall. The theatre is available for special events or for lease.

History

The single-screen theater was used to show silent films and the stage area was used for vaudeville. Mary Pickford performed here.
Built in 1916, the Fillmore Towne Theatre has gone through numerous owners as well as several names. Previously known as Barnes, Stearns, Fillmore, this theater has gone through two fires and an earthquake.
After the 1994 Northridge earthquake the City of Fillmore purchased the building. Though extensive fund raising by citizens in the Save the Towne Theatre Committee, as well as federal and state grants, such as those given by the State Historic Preservation Office, the theatre was restored. After the restoration, it reopened in 1996. The latest movies were shown until the city decided to close it in 2011.

Structure

This single-screen theater was renovated in 1994, with new seats and carpet, as well as a live stage in order to restore its vaudeville roots. It currently has a total of 325 seats: 280 seats on the main floor and an additional 45 on the balcony that overlooks the stage.