There were three successive Adelphi Theatre locations between 1850 and 1884.
The 1st Adelphi Theatre
Clay St. between Kearny and Montgomery. |
map - approximate |
The theatre opened in 1850. The Adelphi didn't get a listing in Kimball's September 1850 directory. The theatre was destroyed by fire on May 4, 1851 along with the Dramatic Museum
on California St. and the first Jenny Lind Theatre at Kearny and
Washington.
Claudine Chalmers, in her 2007 Arcadia book "
French San Francisco"
asserts that the 1st Adelphi was on Commercial St. Perhaps she's
thinking of the early French language performances happening at the
Union Theatre,
which was on Commercial St. There's a preview of Ms. Chalmers' book on
Google Books.
The 2nd Adelphi Theatre
West side of Dupont St. between Clay and Washington. |
map - approximate |
The location was near the corner of Dupont and Clay. This section of Dupont was renamed Grant Ave. in 1908. The section south of Bush St. had been renamed in 1885.
Opened: The replacement theatre opened in 1851 according to the 1859 city directory in its account of the year 1858, the year of the Adelphi's demise. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it on
Internet Archive.
Some unverified accounts written later give a Fall 1852 date for the reopening of this 2nd Adelphi. The theatre was leased by Dr. David Robinson but he had difficulty
competing with the more opulent new version of Tom Maguire's Jenny Lind
Theatre. Robinson also had the American Theatre on Sansome St.
A drawing of the 2nd Adelphi from the UC Bancroft Library collection that appears on page 36 of the book "French San Francisco" by Claudine Chalmers. She notes:
"...the Adelphi Theater was where Alexandre Dumas fil's play 'La Dame aux Camelias' premiered in San Francisco, as did Victor Hugo's 'Marie Tudor.' French Businessman and former actor A. Tallot financed the reconstruction of the Adelphi Theater after it was destroyed in the fire of May 4, 1851. The architect and decorator was M. Duchesne."
The theatre got a listing under "Places of Amusement" on page 235 of the 1854 city directory. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it via Internet Archive:
"ADELPHI THEATRE -- (French) -- Dupont street near corner Clay. M. Paul, Proprietor. Open every Sunday evening."
In the 1858 directory under "Places of Amusement":
Adelphi Theatre, W s Dupont bet Clay and Washington
Closing: The theatre burned on June 2, 1858 according to the 1859 city directory in its account of the year 1858. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it on
Internet Archive. Their listing:
"The old Adelphi Theatre, erected in 1851 on Dupont St., was destroyed this morning by fire."
It's not listed in the 1859 city directory or later editions.
The 3rd Adelphi Theatre
607 California St. |
map |
This was on the south side of the street between Kearny and Dupont St.
Opening: It opened April 28, 1877. This theatre evidently had no connection to
the two previous incarnations using the name.
The theatre is on the
right in this c.1883 view looking east on California St. The photo from the Marilyn Blaisdell collection appears on the
Open SF History Project site courtesy of Molly Blaisdell. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it.
The c.1883 image is from a stereo card published by the J.F. Jarvis Co. of Washington D.C. Thanks to Art for locating this version of it on eBay.
This ad announcing the grand opening that appeared in the
April 24, 1877 Daily Alta California. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it via the California Digital Newspaper Collection.
The new theatre was described in an article in the
April 26, 1877 Daily Alta California. Art Siegel located it via the CDNC:
"The Adelphi Theatre. — Having in view the demand that there is for pure, as well as amusing, variety entertainments in this city, Messrs. Cogill, Cooper & Co. have completed the construction of a theatre devoted to variety and vaudeville performances, in the upper portions of the building No. 607 California street, a short distance above Kearny, and have called it the Adelphi Theatre. At an expense of over $15,000 they have constructed a handsome, comfortable, and completely appointed place of amusement. The auditorium is divided into an orchestra, parquette and circle, separated into nine boxes and two large divisions for stalls. There are four proscenium or stage boxes.
"The entire seating capacity is for about 650 persons. The upholstery is in blue cloth leather and hangings. Elegant lace curtains and heavy blue damask cloth are used in the boxes. The celling and walls have been frescoed in the Pompeiian style by F. Pellegrini. The painting is white throughout, set off with gold leaf gilding. The papering is blue, figured, and is very pleasant and tasteful in design. The gas fixtures are in crystal, silver and gold of elegant design, and were furnished by Bush & Milne. The general effect of the interior of the auditorium in at once cool, rich and pleasant. The stalls are a new feature in theatres in this city. They are at either end of the circle, and will accommodate sixty persons. In the rear of the circle is a handsome parlor, in which is located a buffet where refreshments can be obtained. This is connected by electric bells with the boxes. The attendants will be colored male waiters.
"The stage is very complete, the carpenter, Mr. A. Burnett, having had a carte blanche in fitting it up. There are four grooves with a space in the rear for painters' bridge, etc. Mr. Petzhold, the scenic artist, has prepared sixteen complete sets of scenery for the opening night. There are fourteen dressing rooms beneath the stage. The means of egress from the building, in case of a panic, are excellent. The main stairway is eight feet wide. At the left side of the stage there is a doorway, of similar width, leading into an alleyway that opens directly upon Pine street. The company numbers fourteen ladies and thirteen gentlemen. Many of the artists are new to this city, having been engaged in the East especially for the Adelphi Theatre.
"Messrs. Cogill and Cooper have always been prime favorites in this city, and with their talents as artists and abilities as managers, their new venture in almost sure of success. The organization is as follows: Lessees and Proprietors, Messrs. Cogill, Cooper & Co.; Business Manager, Charles Cogill; Treasurer, J. L. Franklin; Stage Manager, John Woodard; Scenic Artist, M. Petzhold; and Leader of the Orchestra, Hubert Sohreiner. The rates of admission will be: orchestra, 60 cents; parquette, 25 cents; stalls, $1; circle boxes, $4; proscenium boxes, $5. The box office for the sale of reserved seats will be open to-morrow morning. The theatre will be opened to the public on Saturday evening."
A photo of actor and proprietor Charles William Cogill (1849-1903) from his listing on the site
Find a Grave. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it.
The Adelphi is in the 1878 and 1879 city directories with the 607 California address. In the 1881 "
Doxey's Guide to San Francisco and Vicinity" we're advised that the seating capacity was 900 and it's what is known as a "Novelty Theatre." Doxey's is on Google Books.
We're looking east on California in 1879. The the third building in on the right with the flagpole is the Adelphi, with lettering across the facade. The next street down is Kearny. It's a photo on
Calisphere from the UC Bancroft Library's Roy D. Graves Pictorial Collection. The Bancroft notes that the building down California with the tower is the California Safe Deposit & Trust Co. They also say we're looking east from Dupont, not quite accurate as we're part way down the block.
The theatre was under the management of Ned Buckley at the time this card was printed. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it on the site
Card Cow.
"The People's Home." It's the rear of the card from the Card Cow site. It was from the collection of Darlene Thorne. The card is 2 3/4" x 4 1/4".
An 1880 view west on California St. The signage at the theatre's entrance and a shade on a streetlamp saying "Adelphi Theatre" are in the lower left. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating the photo appearing on the
Open SF History Project website. It's from the Martin Behrman Negative Collection of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Park Archives.
An 1882 card advertising the drama "Frozen Deep" at the Adelphi. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating this on
eBay.
"Family Matinee Each Thursday at 2 P.M." It's a c.1883 view with the signage for the theatre on the left. We're looking west on California with St. Mary's church on the right. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating the photo in the
Open SF History Project collection.
"Low Prices 25 and 50 cents." Again the Adelphi is in the lower left. It's a c.1883 photo by I.W. Taber from the Marilyn Blaisdell collection that appears on the
Open SF History Project website. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it.
A November 12, 1883 ad in the Chronicle for what may have been the last show at the theatre. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating it. In the 1883 city directory Clinton and Fagan were listed as the proprietors. Evidently they weren't doing well.
For lease in December 1883. Thanks to Art Siegel for spotting the December 8 ad in the Chronicle. The theatre is still listed in the 1884 directory but that's it. No listing in 1885.
By March 1885 the building had been churched. This account of faith healing "up the shabby stairway" at 607 California appeared in the March 21 Daily Alta California. Thanks to Art Siegel for locating the article via the California Digital Newspaper Collection:
"Faith, Not Physic. No Further Need of Doctors and Medical Schools. Olive Oil And Prayer. Applied Faith the Long-Sought Panacea for the Manifold Ills That Human Flesh is Heir to. A young girl seated at a cabinet organ and softly voicing a hymn, to which one worshipper listened with bowed head, was the scene an Alta reporter witnessed as he entered the old Adelphi Theatre yesterday. Rumors of wonderful faith cures, wrought in this former haunt of mirth, revelry and debauchery, were what had impelled the reporter to climb the shabby stairway, and finally to find himself closeted with the Reverend George Newton, who is at the head of the Holiness Association of the Pacific Coast. The reverend gentleman received the scribe with the utmost cordiality, and was most enthusiastic in his explanation of and confidence in the wonderful cures wrought by faith and prayer.
"'Mr. Newton, is it your intention to establish a hospital in this city where the sick are to be treated and cured by the prayer system?' said the scribe. 'Well, not exactly that,' replied the divine. 'Let me briefly outline our work first and then take up the cures. We have rented this building for two years, and make our headquarters here.. We hold Daily Religious Services here and on Fridays we have a special faith cure service, to which the lame, the halt and the blind are gladly welcomed'....With a sincere regret that a provokingly sound condition of bodily health precluded an actual test of faith in his own case, the reporter meditatively descended the dingy stairway and drifted out again from the odor of sanctity into the wicked, wicked world...."
In an article headed "A Worthy Charity - Inauguration of the Holiness Association's New System" the December 2, 1885 Daily Alta California reported on the soup kitchen on the Adelphi's stage:
"The publicity given to the new enterprise started by the Pacific Coast Holiness Association.and which was inaugurated yesterday, had the effect of crowding the old Adelphi Theatre with a generally hungry congregation. Services began at noon and lasted until one o'clock, after which the curtain was raised, displaying several rows of tables, with stools placed at intervals along their sides, and a white plate, knife, fork and spoon on the table in front of each. There were accommodations for about a hundred people and that number soon filed up the little steps leading to the stage from the main floor of the auditorium and took their places at the tables. The meal consisted of well seasoned soup, bread and meat.
"The managers informed an Alta reporter that, owing to circumstances they could not prevent, they were unable to provide for all that came. Out of about 400 persons who applied for meals, 109 were fed. They believe that in future all demands will be met.... All who wish a meal have to apply at the old theatre boxoffice, where they are questioned briefly and inspected, and subsequently provided with meal tickets... Last Sunday evening the Association celebrated its first anniversary and it was resolved that for the ensuing year revival meetings should be held in the old Adelphi every evening. The lessor of the premises says that he never had a tenant who paid the rent more promptly than the Association does..."
It's "Formerly Adelphi Theatre" in this detail from the 1887 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. Thanks to Art Siegel for the image. In the 1886 through 1889 city directories it's listed as the Adelphi Holiness Hall. Note here they say the "Holiness Band" had their quarters on the 2nd floor. There's no listing in the 1900 and later directories for the Adelphi name at this address.
The church is still in business, but having defections, in 1889. This article in the
December 18 Daily Alta California located by Art Siegel was headed "One Blow Was Enough":
"A Lively Row Among the Holiness Band Salvationists. John McDermott, a young English sailor, was for a time a member of the Holiness Band, whose headquarters are in the old Adelphi Theatre. He is now a backslider. Last evening he stood on the sidewalk on California street and taunted his former salvation companions. He charged them with having broken nearly all of the ten commandments. James Evans, a former shipmate of McDermott, tried to induce him to go back into the ranks again.
"McDermott in reply struck Evans on the cheek with a heavy walking stick and was immediately arrested by Officer McMahon and lodged in the City Prison. 'A few days ago I went to Mare Island' said Evans, 'to try to strengthen my friend's faith, but he pulled a revolver on me and threatened to send me to the bad place. But I forgive him, for it is said that father shall rise against son and brother against brother.' 'Why did not you let him smite you on the other cheek?' asked the officer. 'Oh, one of 'is bloody blarsted licks is enough, you know,' replied the Salvationist, forgetfully dropping into his native cockney dialect."
A
November 28, 1890 Daily Alta California article located by Art Siegel via the CDNC describes the renovations the church had done to the theatre. This was headed "The Salvation Army - A 'Hallelujah Wedding' on Thanksgiving Day":
"... These [services of the day] were carried on in the old Adelphi Theatre on California street above Kearny. This ancient pleasure resort presents a far different appearance from what it did In the time that blood-and-thunder drama, burnt-cork comedy and ear-splitting opera were the attractions, there. The old drop-curtain, representing the Highlands on the Hudson river is still stretched across the south wall where the stage used to be, but that is the only, familiar sight to the old-timers. The boxes in the gallery where the 'sports' used to squander money for bad wines, are now covered with white cloth, which bear such inscriptions as: 'The earth the Lord's and the fullness thereof, and they that dwell therein,' etc. The down-stairs boxes are torn out to make room for more seats. The old dressing-room [2nd floor] is now used as a kitchen and dining-room. Where the stage was is now used for benches for the officers and rostrum..."
"The Salvation Army's Demonstration at the Old Adelphi... In the evening there was one of the largest parades ever held by them in the city, a feature of which was that the uniform of the Army was secondary in conspicuousness to the garb of artisans and laborers, for the parade and subsequent proceedings, which were advertised by handbills and posters as a 'Salvation Army Variety Show,' partook of the nature of a religious labor demonstration.
"The show was held in the old Adelphi Theatre building, on California street — in its time one of the most notorious of the city's dives— and it was strange to note the transformation in tbe audience and the difference in the character of 'shows,' though the performance last night went under the same name as an attraction that once beguiled the reckless seeker for low-caste amusements. Though much of the entertainment last night was uncouth, and only redeemed from sacrilege by the intention of the performers, their evident sincerity and desire to do good lent a queer pathos to the whole affair that made an occasional tug at one's heart strings... In the quaint language of the posters, the affair was entitled 'The Devil in a Fix'... The hall was packed with an orderly audience..."
"The Salvation Army - Largely Attended Jubilee Services and a Hallelujah Wedding. Yesterday and last evening... the Adelphi theatre, where the services were held, was crowded to its utmost capacity. Addresses were made by several of the leaders, and the well-known battle-songs of the Army were sung with a will."
"The Best." In this detail from the 1905 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map the theatre building is seen as a rooming house. Or, as they say: "Cheap Lodgings." Thanks to Art Siegel for the image.
Closing: The building was destroyed by the earthquake and fire in April 1906 .
An April 1906 view down California St but taken from too far up the hill to see the Adelphi. It's down there two buildings beyond the one with the bay windows and the "Rooms" vertical sign. The image by Bear Photo is on
Calisphere from the California State Library collection.
The first Adelphi is discussed by James Madison in his 1925 article "San Francisco Theatrical Memories." The article appears on a page from The Virtual Museum of San Francisco.
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