The Grand Theatre

 822 Washington St. | map |

Opening: Perhaps this nickelodeon opened as early as 1907.  It was on the north side of the street between Grant Ave. and Ross Alley.

It's mentioned in Kim Fahlstedt's 2020 Rutgers University Press book "Chinatown Film Culture: The Appearance of Cinema in San Francisco's Chinese Neighborhood" as operating from 1907 to 1909. 

The building dates from 1907. Art Siegel notes that the data is on the San Francisco Property Information Map. Search for 816 Washington, then click on the Assessor Summary link. This replacement building was constructed on the site of the pre-1907 Grand Chinese Theatre. 

Seating: 175, according to Jack Tillmany's research. 

A March 17, 1909 S.F. Examiner item located by Jack Tillmany.  

Jack notes that later the Grand was included in a list of nickelodeons with inadequate exits. 

Closing: Perhaps 1909 was the last year of operation. There's no additional data. Yet.

Status: The building the Grand was in survives but has obviously been remodeled for other tenants. 

 

 

 

A detail from a Sanborn Map from perhaps the 1990s. Washington St. rises vertically in the center. The Grand nickelodeon's 1907 vintage building is mid-block on the left (north) as a three-bay building with addresses 816-818-822. The map is available as a PDF from the San Francisco Planning Department. 

Looking east on Washington toward Grant Ave. The Golden Dragon, the first storefront in that lovely yellow-ochre/orange building appears to be on the site of the Grand Theatre, with an 822 address.  The Imperial Palace restaurant farther down (in the same building) uses an 818 address. The next building down the block, Fashion Express, is at 814 Washington. On the far left the Hunan Express restaurant is at 826. Photo: Google Maps - 2019

More information: Well, there isn't any yet on this particular venue. 

The Grand Chinese Theatre was on the site pre-1906. It's also referred to as the Donn Quai Yuen, Tan Kwai Yuen, the Dangui or Red Cassia Theatre.

Jack Tillmany's Arcadia Publishing book "Theatres of San Francisco" can be previewed on Google Books. It's available from Amazon or your local bookseller. 

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