Performance venue in Stockton, California, U.S.
The
Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium
is a performance venue in
Stockton, California
. Construction began in 1924 and the auditorium opened in November 1925, it seats about 5,000 people. Local architects
Glenn Allen
and Wright & Satterlee were awarded construction, while Stocktonians conducted bond drives to fund construction of the Memorial Auditorium to honor those who gave their lives while serving in the
Armed Forces
in
World War I
.
History
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In October 1920, a bond election was held in order to obtain funds to invest in a site and construct of the Memorial Civic Auditorium. People had asked for the Auditorium to be built in order to honor of the Americans who served in
World War I
. Other reasons for the Auditorium included the necessity for a facility to provide community events.
[1]
On July 23, 1924, a contract was accepted by the city of Stockton to build a Memorial Civic Auditorium. A total of $482,338 was used to fund the development of the building.
[2]
Construction of the foundation and first floor began in either late 1924 or early 1925.
[3]
The building was completed on November 4, 1925, and dedicated on
Veterans Day
later that year.
Architecture
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The stage is underneath a proscenium style arch. The outside walls of the building are brick with cement plaster finish in imitation of Indiana limestone. The interior walls are brick, reinforced concrete or metal lath and plaster. The structural parts of the roof and balcony are reinforced concrete. The arena's hardwood floors are white maple over concrete sub-floor, and the roof is of "Armso" iron over felt.
[
citation needed
]
Inscriptions
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There is a phrase carved atop of the building which reads "
Tomorrow and Forever the People of Stockton Will Hold in Memory the Valor of Their Sons Who On Land and Sea, at Home and Abroad, Served Their Country in Defense of Liberty
" as a reference to the
World War I
veterans, along with those killed in action. Other inscriptions at the top of the exterior walls contain "To the men of Stockton, California who gave their lives in
World War I
."
[4]
Events
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The Auditorium hosted the
Big West Conference
men's basketball tournament in 1976 and was home of the
University Pacific Tigers men's basketball
until 1982, the year the
Alex G. Spanos Center
opened. (The Spanos Center has since been succeeded by
Stockton Arena
as Stockton's premiere indoor venue) The facility has hosted numerous concerts over the years including
Carlos Santana
,
Rush
, and
Blue Oyster Cult
. The
Golliwogs
played at the auditorium in 1966 and The
Grateful Dead
played 1/18/78 at the auditorium on their well-regarded west coast winter tour.
[5]
References
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External links
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