Redding city feature
About this landmark
An Art Deco theater from 1935 was the only example of its style in downtown Redding.
The Cascade Theatre stands at 1731 Market Street in Redding. Designed by San Francisco architect J. Lloyd Conrich, construction began in 1934, and the theater opened on Friday, August 9, 1935. Built by the Salih Brothers as a masonry structure with cast-in-place concrete exterior walls, it represented the only Art Deco example in downtown Redding and is likely the sole Art Deco structure built in Shasta County.
Opening and Original Features
Opening night drew approximately 2,000 attendees, with all 1,348 seats filled and hundreds more standing in the lobby. Original admission prices were 10 cents for children under twelve and 25 cents for patrons twelve and older. The auditorium featured murals by artist William Chevalis and six ornate chandeliers—three suspended per center aisle—with green leather seating throughout. The theater was the first air-conditioned public building in Redding, equipped with a "most modern type available" refrigeration and cooling system. An exterior relief frieze depicted California industries, adding to the architectural detail.
Operation began under T. & D., Jr. Enterprises, headquartered in San Francisco, with Michael J. Kassis serving as the first manager. Chief projectionist Crellan Champney worked continuously from 1931 to 1977, serving the theater throughout its most active decades. The Cascade was part of a small related chain that included the Senator in Chico, which opened April 21, 1928, and the State in Red Bluff, which opened March 30, 1929, creating a trio of regional theaters.
Closure, Restoration, and Legacy
The theater was subdivided into four smaller screens in 1979 and closed in 1997. After restoration to its original single-auditorium configuration, the Cascade reopened in August 2004 with restored murals and renewed gold and silver gilding. Current seating capacity is 997 seated patrons plus 10 wheelchair spaces. The theater is now owned by Southern Oregon University and operated by the JPR Foundation as a multi-use performing arts venue and community auditorium.
The Cascade Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (reference number 01001459) on January 17, 2002. The nomination was submitted in August 2001. The restoration in 2004 returned the theater to its original single-auditorium configuration with restored murals and renewed gold and silver gilding, revealing the decorative elements and architectural details beneath the four-screen subdivision that had lasted from 1979 to 1997.
Insurance connection: Building protection
Homeowners insurance Coverage A protects dwelling and structures from covered perils with replacement cost reflecting actual rebuilding expense. Coverage C applies sub-limits to jewelry, firearms, and fine arts within the overall contents limit. The California FAIR Plan provides standard fire insurance for high-risk properties turned down by private insurers. After a declared disaster, insurers cannot cancel policies during rebuilding except for fraud, and must offer renewal after total loss. Eligibility and limits depend on individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: The Cascade Theatre's history page, Wikipedia's Cascade Theatre article, and the National Register entry.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.