Assembly Hall (Theatre) Presidio of Monterey

ASSEMBLY HALL (THEATRE) PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY

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BUILDING FORMS FOUND IN THE DLIFLC & POM ARCHIVES IN THIS RESEARCH:
a.The earliest building forms I have found at the archives do not have any official form number printed on the sheet as later forms have. The first image below is an example of this form.
b. Q.M.C. Form No. 173A - Revised Nov. 30, 1921 (Authorized Nov. 15, 1913). The form number are printed on these forms.
c. Q. M. C. Form No. 117 (Old No. 173 A) - Revised Aug. 21 1924. The form number are printed on these forms.
d. Q. M. C. Form No. 117 (Old No. 173 A) - Revised June 28, 1939. The form number are printed on these forms.
Note: Original building forms consist of a front and back. Sometimes there are only copies of the original forms and usually the back page is missing.

ASSEMBLY HALL (THEATRE) PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY

Capacity: 350
Building numbers used: Building No. 50 on c1941 map, No. 208 on c2012 map and also No. 132.
Completion date: Nov. 28, 1910
Cost: 15,685.33
Construction:
Q.M.G.O. Plan No. 265
Building dimensions: main building: 100ft. 4inches x 40 ft. 4 inches. Wing: (1) 15 ft. 5inches x 3 ft. 9 inches.
Walls: Re-enforced concrete
Foundation: concrete
Roof: Ludovici Tile
Floors: wood
Heated: hot water radiators
Lighted: Electricity
Water and sewer: yes
Basement: Boiler room with coal bin
First Floor: Hall, Ante-rooms, stage, dressing rooms and bathroom.
Second Floor: Reception rooms and balcony.

Early building sheet for Assemble Hall (Theater). DLIFLC & POM Archives

Early building sheet for Assemble Hall (Theater). DLIFLC & POM Archives

Building sheet No. 117 for Assemble Hall (Theater). DLIFLC & POM Archives

Image on building sheet No. 117 for Assemble Hall (Theater). DLIFLC & POM Archives

In 1934-35 the interior of the Presidio Theatre was entirely rehabilitated by the addition of new seating, extensive art work, new front doors, and other improvements. In addition, a front porch was built on to provide shelter in the rainy season for the patrons while waiting for the doors to open. Pervious to these changes, the interior of the building was cheerless and barn-like. The seats were barrack chairs, mess stools, and backless benches, just anything which could be collected around the post. DLIFLC & POM Archives

Presidio Theater door was created and built under the WPA (Work Progress Administration Federal Art Project by Carlos Agala 1936. DLIFLC & POM Archives

Presidio Theater door was created and built under the WPA (Work Progress Administration Federal Art Project by Carlos Agala 1936. DLIFLC & POM Archives

Presidio Theater looking at the stage, c1930s. On either side of the screen on the stage and between the windows on both sides were installed Masonite sheets on which were painted coats of arms of all major units which had served at the Presidio. DLIFLC & POM Archives

Above the proscenium arch was hung a six-foot eagle covered with gold leaf. It was carved by William Kneass, of Carmel, in white pine. DLIFLC & POM Archives

Eagle carved by Wm. Kneass, 1936. DLIFLC & POM Archives

WPA decorations for Presidio of Monterey Theater by Max Genet, 1936. Notice the coat of arms on the wall that served at the Presidio. The 11th Cavalry's is third one over from the left. DLIFLC & POM Archives

WPA decorations for Presidio of Monterey Theater by Max Genet, 1936. Notice the coat of arms on the wall that served at the Presidio. The 76th Field Artillery's insignia is the third one over from the right. DLIFLC & POM Archives

WPA Art Project Presidio Theater panel for the 11th Cavalry coat of arms by Max Genet 1936. DLIFLC & POM Archives

Looking at the balcony of the Presidio Theater, 1936. The front of the balcony was decorated in lemon gold with orange California poppies. The ceiling lights were covered with drum-like frames, the sides of which were cutouts of the insignia of the arms and services. They were backed with real drumhead material and the bottom was a base drumhead on which were painted the coat of arms of the 11th Cavalry on one and that of the 76th Field Artillery on the other, the units then serving on the Post. DLIFLC & POM Archives

NOTES ON REHABILITATION OF PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY THEATRE, 1934-35
Together with a couple of corrections of an article about the project which appeared in the Monterey Herald of April 13, 1935.
In 1934-35 the interior of the Presidio Theatre was entirely rehabilitated by the addition of new seating, extensive art work, new front doors, and other improvements. In addition, a front porch was built on to provide shelter in the rainy season for the patrons while waiting for the doors to open. Pervious to these changes, the interior of the building was cheerless and barn-like. The seats were barrack chairs, mess stools, and backless benches, just anything which could be collected around the post.
The new seats were provided by the Army Motion Picture Service; which also provided about $2600 for other improvement. The Post Fund also donated some money. The cash was used to purchase gold velour stage curtains and window drapes, paint and other supplies for artists, wood for new doors, hardware for the latter, and miscellaneous purposes. All artists and labor (except that of Post personnel) were furnished and paid by SERA (State Emergency Relief Administration) which had been established to provide work and a little pay for persons affected by the depression. Mrs. Nellie Montague, the Curator of the Carmel Art Gallery, was in charge of the Art section of SERA. A Monterey architect provided the plans for the front porch and supervised its construction without charge.
On either side of the screen on the stage and between the windows on both sides were installed Masonite sheets on which were painted coats of arms of all major units which had served at the Presidio. Above the proscenium arch was hung a six-foot eagle covered with gold leaf. It was carved by William Kneass, of Carmel, in white pine. The front of the balcony was decorated in lemon gold with orange California poppies. The ceiling lights were covered with drum-like frames, the sides of which were cutouts of the insignia of the arms and services. They were backed with real drumhead material and the bottom was a base drumhead on which were painted the coat of arms of the 11th Cavalry on one and that of the 76th Field Artillery on the other, the units then serving on the Post.
Mrs. Montague had approached Colonel Ralph M. Parker, the Post and 11th Cavalry Commander, with the idea of establishing an art project on the Presidio. This was readily agreed to by Col. Parker, who appointed Captain Louis G. Gibney Project Officer and his liaison with Mrs. Montague.
At present I believe that nothing is left of the entire project but the mahogany doors. Nothing lasts forever, but it seems strange that, as some of the art became dull, or was damaged, it was not replaced with other attractive creations throughout the years. The doors, themselves, have been abused.
The red and white Philippine mahogany doors were designed and built by Carlos Ayals, a pure blooded Indian, who was born in San Diego of parents from Mexico. Ayala had for years constructed and carved fine furniture for movie stars in Hollywood. With the Depression on and money scarce due to the Bank Moratorium and bank failures.
Source: DLIFLC & POM Archives

Assemble Hall (Theater) in 2012. Image source: Al Macks, Presidio of Monterey Public Affairs Office.

Assemble Hall (Theater) in 2012. Image source: Al Macks, Presidio of Monterey Public Affairs Office.

Assemble Hall (Theater) in 2012. Image source: Al Macks, Presidio of Monterey Public Affairs Office.

Assemble Hall (Theater) in 2012. Image source: Al Macks, Presidio of Monterey Public Affairs Office.

Return to: The Layout of the Presidio of Monterey Pre-1940:
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The Layout of the Presidio of Monterey Pre-1940:

OTHER AREAS OF RESEARCH WHICH WE ARE ENGAGED IN:
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FORT ORD STATION VETERINARY HOSPITAL U.S. ARMY HORSE c1941
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Fort Ord U.S. Army Station Veterinary Hospital (Horse) WW2

TRIBUTE OF HONOR: SGT. ALLAN MACDONALD U.S. ARMY HORSE SOLDIER
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Tribute Of Honor: Sgt. Allan MacDonald U.S. Army Horse

FORT ORD STATION HOSPITAL, c1941 WW2
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Fort Ord Station Hospital c1941

11TH CAVALRY PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, 1919 TO 1940
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11th Cavalry Presidio of Monterey, 1919 to 1940

CAMP LOCKETT ARMY HORSE DEFENDING THE BORDER WW2
The 11th, 10th, and the 28th Cavalry, Camp Seeley, Camp Morena and Camp Lockett
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Camp Lockett Army Horse Defending the Border WW2

76TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, 1922 TO 1940
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76th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion

EAST GARRISON/CAMP ORD 1940's ARMY BUILDING DOCUMENTATION
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East Garrison/Camp Ord 1940's Army Building Documentation 2013

FORT ORD U.S. ARMY POST STOCKADE IN IMAGES
Fort Ord U.S. Army Post Stockade in Images

BRIEF HISTORY GENERAL ROBERT C. RICHARDSON, COMMANDER: VII ARMY CORPS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DEFENSE SECTOR AND CONNECTION WITH FORT ORD WW2
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General Richardson Fort Ord Defense of West Coast

7TH DIVISION HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, FORT ORD, 1941 WW2, GENERAL STILWELL
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7th Division Headquarters Buildings, Fort Ord, 1941, General Stilwell

THE CONSTRUCTION OF FORT ORD 1940-1942
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The Construction of Fort Ord 1940-1942

FORT ORD BUILDINGS, COMPLETION REPORT IMAGES 1941-1942
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Fort Ord Buildings, Completion Report Images 1941-1942

250TH COAST ARTILLERY CAMP MCQUAIDE CALIFORNIA 1941
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250th Coast Artillery Camp McQuaide California 1941

THE ARMY VETERINARY SERVICE DURING THE GREAT WAR, WW1
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Veterinary Corps in WW1

LEONARD PATRICK MURPHY U.S. ARMY VETERINARY CORPS, A.E.F., WW1
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Leonard Murphy in WW1

NEVERS FRANCE AND U.S. ARMY HOSPITALS IN THE AREA DURING WW1
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Nevers France and U.S. Army Hospitals in the area during WW1

U.S. ARMY VETERINARY CORPS HISTORICAL PRESERVATION GROUP
Motto: "Illic est Vires in Numerus" There is Strength in Numbers
"Working Hard to Preserve Our Country's History wherever it is being lost".
U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Historical Preservation Group is a group of individuals that are concerned about the preservation of the History of the Veterinary Corps, Remount Service and Cavalry or wherever our country's history is being lost in conjunction with our beloved "Horse and Mule". There is no cost to join and membership is for life. We believe by uniting together in numbers we will be a more powerful force to be heard. Our membership list is private and only used to contact our members. Email us and become a member.
Greg Krenzelok
[email protected]
FACEBOOK: U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Historical Preservation Group
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U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Historical Preservation Group