Los Angeles Theatres: Bell's Theatre

3878 Whittier Blvd. East Los Angeles, CA 90023 | map |

Opened: We think it was around in 1914. That's all the data. It's in the 1914 city directory as a listing for G.F. Bell, presumably the proprietor of a nickelodeon at 3878 Stephenson Ave., a street soon renamed Whittier Blvd. The listing was in the directory under "motion picture theatres." For lack of a name we're temporarily calling it "Bell's Theatre."

Seating: Unknown

The neighborhood offered a cluster of theatrical activity - and of mysteries. There was the Family Theatre at 3814 Stephenson. It's in the 1915 and 1916 city directories. In 1913 there was a listing for Noah V. James at 3826 Stephenson. The same venue? It's unknown. And, interestingly, in 1914, the year we get Mr. Bell listed, we don't have a listing for either the Family Theatre or Mr. James.

There's certainly a possibility of errors or fluid addresses so Bell's venture may be the same as the Family. But many of these nickelodeons were short-lived so perhaps he just packed up and didn't make it into a city directory for a second year.

The Ivy Theatre was also nearby, on the other side of the street at 3937 Whittier, running from around 1914 into the 20s.

The fourth entry in this little theatre district near Indiana St. was the Jewel Theatre at 3817 Stephenson. It came along later, not opening until 1921.

Status: Whatever was at 3878 Stephenson is now gone. The location was on the south side of the street, a bit west of Ditman Ave. It's now Salazar Park.

Los Angeles Theatres

Bell's Theatre

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