Eureka Theatre
Why it's listed
Built in 1939 at 612 F Street in Eureka, this Art Moderne movie theater was designed by William B. David and constructed by Moore and Roberts for theater operator George M. Mann. The concrete building holds two theater floors, a basement and an attic, with small shops flanking the entrance. A 50-foot vertical EUREKA sign, a curving marquee and a round, tiled outer lobby draw attention from the street, and the exterior remains essentially as first built. Inside, the curved lobby, colored-glass light fixtures, etched-glass doors and original restroom fittings carry the Moderne styling. The theatre is significant for two reasons. Eureka had earlier relied on opera houses, converted storefronts and dual-purpose halls, and this was its first dedicated movie theater, opening with neon lighting in red, blue and gold as the Depression eased. It also stands as a well-preserved local example of Art Moderne theater design from the years just before World War II.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it meets Criterion A locally for its role in Eureka's theater history, as the city's first true movie theater after earlier opera houses and dual-purpose venues. It also meets Criterion C as an excellent local example of an Art Moderne theater built as the Depression eased and before World War II.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 09001199, listed January 7, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 612 F. St., Eureka |
|---|---|
| County | Humboldt County |
| Listed | January 7, 2010 |
| Reference number | 09001199 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1939 |
| Architect / builder | David, William B., Architect; Moore and Roberts, Contractors |
| Architectural style | Art Moderne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The exterior is described as essentially unchanged from 1939; the theatre is listed as still in theater use, with a 1952 renovation and later concession stand alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.80060, -124.16598 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 09001199.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5411246
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.