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California's Gold with Huell Howser

First Theater

On this adventure, Huell goes in search of California's "First Theater." As usual, nothing is simple in California because there are actually two first theaters. From Monterey to Sacramento we uncover California's theater history. Huell starts his search in Monterey at "California's First Theater". An English sailor by the name of Jack Swan completed his saloon/boarding house in 1847 and very quickly U.S. soldiers stationed in Monterey where putting on shows in his building. The building went through many incarnations over the years until 1937 when it was re-opened as a theater. The Troupers of the Gold Coast (the oldest continually performing theatrical company in the world) have been entertaining audiences ever since. Huell gets a tour and sees a performance in California's first first theater.

Next its off to Sacramento to California's second first theater, the Eagle Theater. Mr. Zadock Hubbard and Mr. Gates Brown, owners of the Round Tent Saloon located on J Street near the corner of Front Street, financed the construction of the Eagle Theater in 1849, to provide entertainment for the hordes of miners and emigrants coming to Sacramento during the Gold Rush. Construction began in July and the building was completed by September 1849. Huell gets a wonderful tour and again we get to see a performance on a very historic stage.

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Season
Classic Arts Showcase
25:33
Huell tours the Glendale office of Classic Arts Showcase, a free cable TV arts program.
Whistling Champ
25:55
Huell visits with the Whistling Champ Carole Anne Kaufman at her salon.
Masumoto Family Farm
28:20
Huell travels to Central California to visit the 80 acre Masumoto Family Farm.
Capitol Steps
28:32
Huell goes straight to the top: California’s Capitol Building, a stunning neoclassical gem
Tall Ship Californian
27:03
Huell sails aboard the state’s official tall ship, Californian.
Point Fermin Lighthouse Lens
28:22
Huell tracks down Point Fermin's beautiful glass Fresnel lens.
Glacier
27:07
Join Huell as he hikes high up in the Eastern Sierra to visit the Conness Glacier.
Sea Caves
25:53
Huell travels out to Santa Cruz Island to explore its famous sea caves by kayak.
Persimmons
26:12
Huell spends the day in Granite Bay California learning the ancient art of Hoshigaki.
Gold Rush Medicine
28:19
"Doctors” of the Gold Rush did the best they could to care for California's immigrants.
Oil Islands
27:44
In Long Beach, Calif., there’s a 42-acre collection of oilfield islands.
Warnors Theatre
27:22
The Warnors Theatre, a Fresno landmark that opened in 1928, houses a unique pipe organ.
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