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Monrovia Opera House / Imp Theatre / Elite Theatre

217 S. Myrtle Ave. Monrovia, CA 91016 | map | 

Opening: Sometime around 1897, initially known as the Monrovia Opera House. Thanks to Kelli Shapiro for researching the building. On page 99 of her fine 2024 Arcadia Publishing book "Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley Movie Theatres" she notes: 
 
"The 400-seat Monrovia Opera House operated from approximately 1897 to 1908, then became the Elite. In September 1910, W.O. Wheelan remodeled, reopening it as the Imp Theatre -- advertising 'high class motion pictures, illustrated songs, and vaudeville.' New manager W.K. Wyman brought the Elite moniker back in December." 
 
It's in the 1911 Monrovia city directory as the Elite. It was on the 2nd floor of a building on the west side of the street a bit north of Palm Ave. The Colonial/Monrovia Theatre was in the next block south on the other side of the street.  
 
 

 
Note the "stage and scenery" for the theatre in this detail from page 5 of the 1907 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. That's Palm Ave. across the bottom and Myrtle Ave. on the right. This Sanborn map is listed on a page of the City of Monrovia website, part of their Monrovia Legacy project. See a PDF of page 5. Here it's noted as "Halls 1&2" but in the image below it appears that at least the north end of the ground floor had been subdivided for retail tenants. 
 

 
It's seen as the Elite Theatre in this 1911 "Monrovia Day" shot from the Myron Hotchkiss collection of the Monrovia Historical Society. Thanks to Kelli Shapiro for locating the photo in the collection. 

Closing: The date is unknown. Kelli notes: "Elite advertisements still appeared in 1913." Thanks, Kelli! 

Status: It's been demolished.  

Looking north from Palm Ave. The theatre would have been over on the left. Foothill Blvd. is a long block up to the right. Photo: Google Maps - 2019

More information: There isn't any yet.

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