Hemet city feature
About this landmark
A historic theater rebuilt stronger after a major seismic event.
The Historic Hemet Theatre is located at 216 E. Florida Avenue in downtown Hemet, California. The original theater was built by owner William Martin and opened in 1913. The structure is historically significant as a survivor of a substantial earthquake that struck in 1918 and was subsequently rebuilt with reinforced concrete walls. Today, the restored theater operates as a Community Arts Center, hosting performances, events, and cultural programming for local audiences and serving as an important downtown landmark.
History and the 1918 Earthquake
The original theater on Florida Street was built by owner William Martin and was operational by 1913. In 1918, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake on the local San Jacinto Fault caused significant damage to the structure. The building was rebuilt in 1921 with reinforced concrete block walls, relocated to the north side of the street. This reinforced construction proved durable, protecting the building's structural integrity through subsequent decades. Renovations in the 1940s through 1960s included replacement of the marquee and other modernizations as the theater evolved to meet changing audience expectations.
For decades, the theater remained in operation under the Martin family's ownership before changing hands. In the 1970s, Harold Martin (William Martin's son) ceased operating the theater, and the property was sold to David Bernal and Emerson Bixby. According to the theater's official history, the building closed in 2000 due to fire damage. A 2012 attempt by an earlier foundation to revive the theater encountered setbacks, but community interest in restoring the landmark persisted.
Restoration and Contemporary Operation
In 2013, the Historic Hemet Theatre Foundation negotiated a lease-to-purchase agreement with the property owners, beginning an ambitious restoration effort. Under this arrangement, the Foundation hosted more than 500 events with over 35,000 patrons before completing the full property purchase. The Foundation was recognized as Nonprofit of the Year by the Hemet San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce in 2015. By April 2018, the Foundation had arranged financing to acquire the building through an eight-year mortgage. A "Century Club" fundraising campaign sought more than $1 million in donations to fund comprehensive renovations planned for the theater's centennial in 2021.
The theater now operates as a Community Arts Center with expanded programming. Operating hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to showtime or 7:00 p.m.; the theater is closed Sunday and Monday. In 2023, a new board hired experienced staff to further expand programming and community engagement following COVID-19 disruptions. For current events, performance schedules, and ticketing, contact (951) 658-5950. The theater's reinforced concrete construction—originally designed to withstand seismic forces—continues to provide a sturdy, enduring venue for Hemet's cultural life.
Insurance connection: Earthquake risk and seismic design
The Historic Hemet Theatre's 1921 reinforcement with concrete block walls demonstrates the importance of earthquake-resistant structural design. While standard homeowners insurance typically excludes earthquake shake damage, California law requires coverage of fire damage resulting from earthquakes. California's earthquake insurance guide explains that the California Earthquake Authority offers deductible options ranging from 5 to 25 percent, with higher minimums for homes built before 1980 without seismic retrofitting. Claims must be reported within one year of discovery. Eligibility, coverage limits, and deductible options depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: the theater's history page, the 2018 local news article, and the Wikipedia city article.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.