HISTORIC ALEX THEATER IN GLENDALE

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

THE ALEX THEATER – GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

by Monica Corpuz – Graduate Student CSUN

      The historic Alex Theater in Glendale opened its doors in September 4, 1925, as Alexander Theater. The theater was a glamorous place to see movies in the late 1920’s all the way through to the early 90s. It drew major movie stars through its doors, such as Bing Cosby and Elizabeth Taylor.

      In the early 90’s, however, the theater had to close it doors, at which point the Glendale Redevelopment Agency purchased the theater and instigated an expensive and ambitious revitalization project. The theater then opened its doors, just a few short years later, as a performing arts center and has since become a hub of activity in Glendale. 

     

       The Alex Theater hosts plays and musical performances as well as lectures, dance performances and comedy shows. It has been added to the National Register of Historic Places and continues to be a unifying landmark for the denizens of Glendale to congregate.

      There are tons of current shows going on this month and next, including DeFranco Does LA, Glendale Pops Hidden Treasures and The Glendale Youth Orchestra. For more information about its history, on-going shows and for photos of movie stars and the theater in its hey-day, please go to this website: http://www.alextheatre.org. 

GLENDALE'S BRAND AVENUE

                       

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

BRAND AVENUE – GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

by Monica Corpuz - Graduate Student CSUN

        Glendale’s Brand Boulevard is a main hub of activity today, with a wide selection of shops, restaurants, businesses and cultural landmarks. The street is named after Leslie Coombs Brand (1859-1925), who helped to develop Glendale by helping to build and facilitate transportation and real estate in the city. 

         Glendale officially became a town in 1887 when it comprised only about 150 acres worth of land. In the early 1900’s Edgar D. Goode and D.W. Hunt also helped to develop Glendale by bringing the railroad through the city. Both of these men also have streets named after them, and they’re all by Brand Boulevard. Finally, Glendale became a city in 1906, and due partly to the glamorous and popular Alex Theater, which is located on the street, Brand Boulevard quickly became an important part of the city.

      It wasn’t until a surge of immigrants in the 80’s and 90’s that really diversified Brand Boulevard. Different types of cuisine and shops popped up which only increased the street’s popularity. Today it is a central hub of Glendale. It is located close to the Glendale Galleria, the Americana, art galleries and large corporate headquarters. Shopping, dining, looking at art and then catching a show at the Alex- what a great way to spend a day in Glendale!