225 E. Seaside Way Long Beach, CA 90802 | map |
Opened: 1912. The image is a detail from a 1914 G. Haven Bishop photo in the Huntington Library collection. We're looking east on Seaside toward Collins Way with the beach off to the right. Behind the photographer were the Wigwam Theatre (on a site later occupied by Scott's/Victor Theatre), the American Theatre in the 100 block, and the 1905 version of the Municipal Auditorium.
The theatre is listed in the 1913-14 through 1924 city directories. The Fairyland opened around Christmas 1912, according to the Cal State Long Beach page about the theatre. Long Beach historian Claudine Burnett is cited on the page as noting that at the time it was the most elaborate theatre in town. The proprietors, Helen B. and Archie C. Frist, had earlier opened the American Theatre. Here at the Fairyland, noted for its "medieval terra cotta designs," they featured both films and vaudeville.
The Fairyland is seen as "Moving Pictures" on the right side of this detail from image 29 of a 1914 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map in the Library of Congress collection. The auditorium was parallel to Seaside with the stage backing up to Collins Way. The theatre seen in the block to the left at 113-115 is the American. In the lower left that's a corner of the Municipal Auditorium.
By the time the 1913-1914 city directory was compiled the Frists still had the American but the Fairyland was being run by C.A. Raymond.
The Fairyland was included in a September 6, 1920 Daily Telegram ad for Paramount Week. They were also listed in a September 5, 1921 Daily Telegram ad for Paramount Week that year where it was announced "Long Beach joins in the national demonstration of the better motion pictures." The Fairyland also participated in the "First Annual Go To Theatre Week." See the February 11, 1922 Daily Telegram ad announcing that event that encouraged patrons to "Go At Least Three Times!" Thanks to the Ronald W. Mahan Collection for sharing these ads.
Closed: 1924
1925 - A view west from Collins Way at the theatre that replaced the Fairyland. Here it's the Ritz. It would soon be the Capitol and end up as the Tracy. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library
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