-
- The Historic Fox Theater
-
This
is the - Fox Theater
- Roof Restoration
- History:
- The historic Fox Theater in Bakersfield, CA is the only one remaining with the classic Charles P. Skouras' "Style" still intact. His lavish Art Deco & Spanish Colonial styles, with its glitzy gold leaf plumbs, their remarkable swirls reaching up to the starlit indigo sky of the main auditorium. The main floor and balcony can seat 1500 people.
- Notes:
- Charles P. Skouras worked for Fox West Coast Theaters in the 1940-50's.
- Architect, S. Charles Lee of Los Angeles, (b. - ).
- Update on the work of items on the overall plan.
- Landscape Palm trees planted.
- Exterior painting continuing.
- Clock restoration in The Tower.
- The roof restoration project by BSW Bakersfield Shingles Wholesale Contractors & Supply completed September 1998.
- To Come, reinstallation of a Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ.
(commercial roof project)
December 24, 1930 was the first
"curtains up" for this glorious structure with its rare mystique which
has enchanted us (myself included) for over 70 years. Thirty years after
that first Christmas day opening, I remember coming here as a boy with
my brother looking up trying to figure out how they got the stars to twinkle.
The Fox was dreamed up by Architect, S. Charles Lee of Los Angeles, well
known for his trademark style "Let the show begin on the sidewalk." He
began with the sidewalk, a rainbow of a polished terrazzo walkway calls
you into the lobby area amid towering gilded splendor. The overhead marquee
glowing with brightly colored neon, flashing, mirroring off the polished
metal as we remembered the 1950's.
New Era:
June 28, 1994 the Fox Theater Foundation was born. This non profit group
with much help from the people of this community beginning restoration
on July 1, 1994. The restoration project is still looking at a projected
goal of $1.9 million to complete with enhancements.
The building is very sound, serviving the 1952 earthquake. This construction known as "Type I " is poured concrete over a steel framework support. The multilevel roof areas averages 70 ft from the ground at her highest point above the cat-walk on the stage. The roof is vast comprising an area of 27,500 square feet. The interior of the Bakersfield Fox is recognized for it's fine acoustics her stage proscenium is 48 ft. by 28 ft. deep, with a super wide Cinamascope screen 20' x 45' format. Orchestra pit, five dressing rooms, a spacious lobby with lavish concession area with mezzanine and a full projection booth.
The roof restoration has been plained and overseen by the President of the Fox Theater Foundation, Scott Feiber and Ernie Montoya of BSW for the last 4 years. Coordinating with the Fox Theater Foundation Board of Directors and the Kern Historial Society, to preserve the Fox to its former grandure. The BSW work chews removed layer after layer five in all of old damaged roofing materials totaling 400,000 lbs. of rubal was removed by truck loads from the roof at the Fox.
With roofing materials supplied, this new material with its silver appearance is designed to reflect the suns heat and harmfull UV rays away from the building.
The Fox Theater
-
- Call, 661 327-7663 or email for details.