SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024

VOLUME 18 NO. 30VOLUME 18 NO. 30

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides 
by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Lic. #01991628. All material presented 
herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources 
deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale 
or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to 
accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are ap-
proximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.E
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SIERRA MADRE POST 
OFFICE DAMAGED

BY VANDALS

We need your help!

It was once known as the Wistaria 
Theatre, the Sierra Madre, and 
the Bogart. Beginning in 1924, it 
featured silent films, and by 1930, 
with a few modern upgrades, it was 
ready to bring talking pictures or 
“talkies” to the city of Sierra Madre. 

After briefly closing after the Great 
Depression, this classic theatre 
entertained audiences with first-run 
movies. Still, it struggled to keep its 
doors open due to the increase in 
new, state-of-the-art theaters across 
Southern California. Around 1979, 
it reinvented itself, and since then, 
this art-loving community has been 
dazzled by performances from “The 
Odd Couple,” “On Golden Pond,” 
“The Joy Luck Club,” “A Christmas 
Story,” and “The Last Five Years.” 

Now, it’s looking to make history, 
literally. Of course, I’m talking about 
the Sierra Madre Playhouse, which has 
stood the test of time for over 100 years. 
In fact, the building was constructed in 
1910 and was the first to be built in what 
was known as the Lunt’s Tract. It served 

the community as a furniture store 
before becoming a theatre in 1924.

David Gordon, who became President 
of the Playhouse in 2017, has applied to 
designate the building at 87 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd. as a local historic landmark 
and to be included in the Sierra Madre 
Register of Designated Historic 
Landmarks. 

(continued on page 2)

A HISTORIC MOVE FOR 
THE PLAYHOUSE By Kevin McGuire


The First Movie Ad - 

Courtesy SM Library Archives


Two corner wrought-iron rails at the Sierra 
Madre Post Office were damaged last weekend 
by vandals who were likely using them as 
skateboard rails. A police report was filed with 
the Sierra Madre Police Department by the 
Postmaster. Anyone with information about the 
incident or who would like to self-report, are 
encouraged to contact or call the Sierra Madre 
Police Department at (626) 355-1414.

As a result of the damage, the two sections of 
the wrought-iron rails must be replaced. Because 
the property is leased by the US Postal Service, 
community donations are needed to replace 
the two wrought-iron rails. All donations to the 
Sierra Madre Post Office Landscape Project are 
tax deductible. All donors will receive a thank 
you/tax-deductible donation acknowledgement 
letter. Any donations received in excess of the 
rail replacement costs will be used to purchase 
additional or replacement plants at the Sierra 
Madre Post Office.

In 2022, the Sierra Madre Post Office was re-
landscaped by Bob Spears and Jim Walsworth, 
and a host of community volunteers, with 
oversight by local experts. The goal of the 
project was to improve the existing appearance 
and provide the community with a place where 
they can learn about some of the best options in 
native plants and saving water. The result was 
a showplace for drought-tolerant water-saving 
landscaping that everyone can enjoy. Another 
project goal was to make the Sierra Madre Post 
Office to be a place that represents Sierra Madre 
in a way that we can all be proud of and to help 
ensure that it remains an essential part of our 
community. 



If you have any questions or need more 
information, please contact Bob Spears, Post 
Office Landscape Project Leader, directly at 
bobspears@earthlink.net.

The Theatre Today 

Photo courtesy SM Playhouse

SOLD!
24072 La Hermosa, Laguna NiguelRepresented Buyer
©2024 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real state LLC. An Equal Opportunity 
Company, Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, 
or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the 
buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. If your property is currently 
listed for sale, this is not intended as a solicitation.
626.484.8135Barbara.Rogers@camoves.comwww.Barbara.Rogers.comCRE#01169115RBarbara Rogers626.278.0187Eileen.Benson@camoves.comwww.EileenBenson.com 
CRE#01880650BEileen Benson
If you would like to help with this project, 
please send a tax-deductible donation check 
payable to the “Post Office Landscape Project 
c/o SMCF.” 

The mailing address is Sierra Madre 
Community Foundation, P.O. Box 716, Sierra 
Madre, CA 91025. If you prefer to make your 
donation by PayPal, please scan the PayPal 
QR Code below:


SAN DIMAS $799,0003 Beds, 2 Bath, 1,240 sf, HomeWHITTIER $599,0001 Beds, 1.5 Bath, 830sf, TownHouseRIVERSIDE $750,0004 Beds, 2 Bath, 2,159 sf, Home626.355.1451c21village.comLIC# 02119245Serving the Community since 1980FOR SALEFOR SALEFOR SALE