East Los Angeles, CA - East Los Angeles is home to one of the remaining artifacts of the glamorous movie houses of yesteryear. The shell of the Golden Gate Theatre on Whittier Boulevard only hints at what this theatre was like in its heyday. The entire front facade of the theatre was demolished in the Whittier earthquake of 1987. Only memories of those who saw and visited this theatre in its heyday remain.

Golden Gate Theatre 1998 (Closed)
East Los Angeles, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Golden Gate Theatre had already spent years without a movie crowd when photographed here in 1998. Standing near Whittier and Atlantic Boulevards, the old East Los Angeles movie palace looked like a survivor waiting for someone to decide its next act. The surrounding storefronts were gone, leaving the theatre much more exposed than it had been during its busy years. Even in that condition, this was no ordinary vacant building.

Built in the late 1920s, the Golden Gate brought an elaborate Spanish Churrigueresque design to the neighborhood. Its richly decorated entrance promised something special beyond the ticket window. This was the era when a local movie house could borrow the grandeur of a palace, giving customers a little escape before the picture even started.

The overgrown entrance to the Golden Gate
East Los Angeles, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Originally, the theatre was tucked behind the Vega Building, a collection of shops and commercial spaces that framed its approach from the boulevard. Together, they made a lively neighborhood destination where shopping and an evening’s entertainment could share the same stop. That setting would change dramatically after the movies ended.

The Golden Gate stopped showing films in 1986. The following year, the Whittier Narrows earthquake severely damaged the surrounding Vega Building, which was demolished in the early 1990s. The theatre remained, but losing its commercial neighbors changed its appearance and left an uncertain future for the vacant auditorium.

Golden Gate Theatre 2006
East Los Angeles, CA
Photo courtesy Timothy G. Shubin

Preservation battles followed as proposals came and went. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the Golden Gate had recognition on its side, but finding a workable use took considerably longer. For years, passing the property meant another look to see whether anything had changed—or whether the old theatre was still there.

UPDATE: Since the photo to the left was taken, the Golden Gate Theater lot has been cleaned up. The dirt leveled and black top added; chain-link fence removed and a rod-iron fence added; and some stores were built on the west side of the lot on Whittier Blvd. In regards to The Theater itself, roofers repaired the roof. Many thanks to Timothy G. Shubin for update. 09-06

Golden Gate Theatre 2006
East Los Angeles, CA
Photo courtesy Timothy G. Shubin

UPDATE: The Golden Gate finally welcomed customers again in August 2012, this time as a CVS pharmacy at 5176 Whittier Boulevard. The conversion preserved the theatre building while replacing moviegoing with everyday shopping. Its elaborate architecture has since earned it the nickname “Goth CVS,” giving this former picture palace an unlikely new following. You won’t find a coming attraction on the bill, but a stop for toothpaste comes with considerably more scenery than usual. 10-26

Historical Photos of the Golden Gate

Golden Gate Theatre 1955 East Los Angeles, CA Courtesy Timothy G. Shubin	Golden Gate Theatre 1979 East Los Angeles, CA Courtesy Timothy G. Shubin
Golden Gate Theatre Interior Rendering East Los Angeles, CA Courtesy Timothy G. Shubin	Golden Gate Theatre Interior Rendering East Los Angeles, CA Courtesy Timothy G. Shubin

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