• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Glen Park Association

Up-to-the-minute news from Glen Park

  • Home
  • Glen Park Association
    • About the Glen Park Association
    • Join the GPA
    • GPA Board Contacts
    • GPA Meeting Minutes
    • Bylaws
    • Neighborhood boundaries
  • News Stories
    • Glen Park News
    • Editor’s Picks
  • Greenway
    • About
    • Greenway Plan
  • GPA Grants Program
  • Crime & Safety
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Volunteer Sign Ups
    • Event Submission
    • Author Submissions

(HI)STORIES OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS – Hollywood –The Glen Park Connection, Part 1 – The Glen Park Glenodeon

November 3, 2021 by Evelyn Rose, Founder & Director, Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project

 

Over the past several years, we have uncovered many impressive histories connected with Glen Park. One not yet discussed is the Glen Park connection to the glamor and glitz of Hollywood that began during the earliest days of Tinseltown. This post is Part 1.
…

“Moving pictures” were all the rage during the opening years of the 20th century. The first nickelodeon – literally, a “5 cent theater” – opened in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1905. By 1913, San Francisco was sporting nearly 100 of the little entertainment houses across town. With a capacity of 100 to 200 people and well known for their uncomfortable wooden chairs, patrons paid a shield, Liberty Head, or buffalo nickel to view silent serial reels such as The Perils of Pauline or The Exploits of Elaine. An accompanying pianist or organist playing live in the theater lent to the drama and excitement, helping patrons become immersed in the action.

Few examples of San Francisco’s nickelodeons remain. One is the former site of Aardvark Books on Church Street near Market that closed for good in 2019. The structure first opened as the Bijou Theatre 1908 and could hold 260 patrons. It was later renamed the Electric Theatre about 1913. Any Aardvark patron who happened to glance above the shelves may have noticed the arched, embossed, Quonset hut-style metal ceiling. At the front of the store were the remains of a series of sockets for flashing incandescent light bulbs that enticed moviegoers, though the windowpanes in front of the sockets had long ago been painted over.

Two internal views of the now-closed Aardvark Books on Church Street showing details of the building’s first iterations: the Bijou Theatre in 1908 then the Electric Theatre in 1913. Images by Evelyn Rose.

Thanks to one of our resident woman suffragists, the first nickelodeon in Glen Park opened in 1913. Originally named The Glenodeon and later renamed The Diamond Theatre, it appears to have been of similar design as the former Electric Theatre on Church Street. Located about 115 feet north of Chenery at 2774 Diamond Street (later renumbered to 2780 Diamond), the building is no longer standing. That a woman was proprietor may have been unusual for San Francisco but with the history of women’s activism in Glen Park, certainly not out of the ordinary.

Glen Park’s own nickelodeon theater was initially called The Glenodeon, then later the Diamond Theatre. This image from 1926 may have been when Mrs. Caroline Evers left the movie business and closed the theater. Image courtesy of the San Francisco Public Library.

The proprietor, Caroline (Mrs. Edward N.) Evers (née Salyard), was born in 1863 in Hespeler, Ontario, Canada to natives of Germany and France. In 1881, Caroline married fellow Ontarian Edward Napoleon Evers and the following year the couple moved to Buffalo, New York. By 1904, they were residing in San Francisco, first on 14th Street in the Duboce Triangle, then in 1906 on Fillmore Street near Geary Street.

Caroline (Mrs. Edward N. Evers) was a Glen Park suffragist and first president of the Glen Park Outdoor Art League. She was also a proprietor of a movie theater for 13 years at a time when most theater owners were male. Image from the San Francisco Chronicle, April 5, 1908.

Edward was employed as a linotype operator at the Hicks-Judd Company, printer of the San Francisco Block Books. By December 1906 he and his wife were living in Glen Park on Glen Avenue (today Chenery Street between Diamond and Elk Streets) near Lippard Avenue, having purchased a lot from Anna Roller in the Joost Addition to the Glen Park Subdivision (Roller was the daughter of Behrend Joost, developer of Sunnyside). In 1909, they purchased a second lot in the Joost Addition and by 1910, had relocated to Chenery at Chilton Avenue.

In February 1908, Caroline Evers became the first president of the Glen Park Outdoor Art League. Founded by Glen Park resident Johanna Pinther, a co-leader of America’s first suffrage march, the Glen Park Outdoor Art League was a woman’s club that enabled members to pursue civic activities in preparation for a California woman’s suffrage victory. Evers also served as the Worthy Matron (presiding officer) of the Order of the Eastern Star, Golden Gate Chapter, which offered opportunities for women to participate in the Order of Freemasonry. At that time, there were 18 chapters in San Francisco with more than 2,500 members.

While a record of who purchased the lot of the future Glenodeon has yet to be found, the Evers may have constructed the little theater themselves. We can only imagine the excitement and awe of Glen Park residents who watched pictures “move” for the first time. Moreover, among Johanna Pinther’s many skills was piano teaching and we are left to wonder if she may have served as the theater’s first musical accompanist during its earliest years of operation.

In addition to showing serial reels, the Glenodeon was also a place for political meetings. The Glen Park Outdoor Art League held several meetings there, and in 1915 a public meeting attended by Mayor James “Sunny Jim” Rolph and City Engineer Michael M. O’Shaughnessy was held in support of a bond to purchase the Spring Valley Water Company for use in the Hetch Hetchy System. Other candidate meetings were held at the theater, including during the re-election campaign for Mayor Rolph that reportedly attracted an overflow crowd.

Perhaps to modernize the entertainment facility, and with Edward N. Evers having received a permit for additions to the theater, Caroline changed the name to the Diamond Theatre in 1917. As a theater owner, she was an active member of the male-dominated Northern California Division of Motion Picture Owners of America. At annual meetings held in San Francisco, she served on the Organizing and Credentialing Committees, and in 1920 personally welcomed cowboy star Tom Mix to the city.

Caroline Evers led the contingent of Northern California movie owners who greeted Hollywood cowboy star Tom Mix to their annual convention in San Francisco in the early 1920s. Image from the Exhibitor’s Herald, August 9, 1919, accessed via Wikimedia Commons.

The final directory listing for the Diamond Theatre was in 1925. Then in 1926, the Evers purchased land in the San Augustine Rancho on the San Jose to Santa Cruz Road (along today’s Highway 17 at Scott’s Valley). There they established Camp Evers, a major stop for automobilists needing gas or a general store. They also offered camping and picnicking for visitors to nearby Big Basin State Park at Felton, California’s oldest state park. The earliest known commercial venture in that area, Camp Evers was also a popular spot for Saturday night dances. The Evers ran the highly popular destination for 20 years until well into their 80s. Caroline Evers died in Santa Cruz in 1950 at the age of 87.

In Part 2, what happened to the Diamond Theatre?

Evelyn Rose, Director and Founder of the Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project, is documenting the histories of Glen Park and nearby neighborhoods. To learn more about our local histories, visit www.GlenParkHistory.org. The Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project is currently offering intermittent virtual programs during the ongoing health crisis. Join the mailing list: GlenParkHistory@gmail.com. The Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project is fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media, a California non-profit corporation. Evelyn is also the author of the history website, Tramps of San Francisco.

 

 

Filed Under: Editor's Pick, Glen Park History, Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Bosworth & Lyell tarp wrap
Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
RSVP to info@glenparkassociation.org
Just need to get last week’s
loose material into tarps!


SFCTA Freeway Ramp Open House
Thursday, May 15, 5-6:30 p.m.
Ingleside Branch Library, 1298 Ocean Avenue



Spread the Love and the Mulch
Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. to noon
500 block of Arlington at Roanoke
The blooming Oakwoodland on Arlington and Roanoke turns two. Come join the community in keeping out the weeds and making space for the California Natives. Tools, lunch (sponsored by neighbor Jodell) and good company provided.


Hamerton steps logoHamerton Steps Planting
Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
RSVP hamertonstairs@gmail.com



Upper Noe Neighbors Community Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Upper Noe Recreation Center auditorium
295 Day Street
Agenda


San Francisco Department of Public Works logoDPW Love Our City
District 8 Cleanup Day
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to afternoon
Learn more and sign up here


 

Logo Center for Creative Exploration

The Center for Creative Exploration
Explore all the Colors of the Rainbow
one-day workshop
Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
300 Chenery Street
Learn more and link to registration here


Weeding Party
June 21, 10 a.m. to noon
100 block of Arlington at Charles
Join neighbors on the North end of the Cut to keep down the weeds and beautify top to bottom. Tools, lunch and good company provided.


Monthly cleanup on the Greenway
First Saturday of the Month (usually)
Click here to learn more


Friends of Glen Canyon’s
Glen Canyon Habitat Restoration
Every third Saturday 9:30 a.m to noon
Sign up here

Subscribe to this Newsletter

Sign Up for Glen Park Association News Updates:

* indicates required

Check It Out at the Glen Park Library

Click the above button or here to see all upcoming Glen Park Branch Library events. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get events highlights in your inbox.

Glen Park Rec Center

Glen Canyon Park sign
Click here for latest
Glen Park Rec Center
class schedule


Saturdays 3-4:45 p.m.
Questions? Call 415-239-4007


GP Movie Night Schedule

Renew Your Glen Park Association Membership for 2025

Join the Glen Park Association and help promote our community’s interests. Together, we can secure improvement funds, publicize neighborhood concerns and strive to speak as one voice on neighborhood and city issues.

Membership in the Glen Park Association is only $10 annually and can be purchased online.

Glen Park Association Advertising Sponsors

JE_Digital Small Space Ad
Diamond Heights Digital Ad
GPA Ad- Perez Construction ad 6.27.22 v Glen Park
moroco
Center for Creative Exploration - adult
JE_Digital Small Space Ad
Diamond Heights Digital Ad
GPA Ad- Perez Construction ad 6.27.22 v Glen Park
moroco
Center for Creative Exploration - adult
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Current Weather & Air Quality

Glen Park featured on…

FacebookSF ChronInstagramTwitter

Join the Glen Park Association on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Glen Park Association is in Glen Park.
1 week ago
Glen Park Association

Save the Date! May 17th, Saturday 10:00AM - 11:30AM

Join us and help pick up trash & litter in the neighborhood!
We’re celebrating 3 years of collaborating with @refuserefusesf and the @glen_parkmerchantssf of #keepingGlenParkclean and bringing the #community together!🙌🏽

Meet at Critter Fritters Pet Food and Supplies @critterfritterspetfood
📍670 Chenery Street

Supplies and refreshments provided
No experience required

#refuserefusesf #glenpark #sanfrancisco #keepSFclean @rafaelmandelmand8 @anhishere @danielluriesf @sfpublicworks @avenuegreenlight #avenuegreenlight
... See MoreSee Less

Save the Date! May 17th, Saturday 10:00AM - 11:30AM

Join us and help pick up trash & litter in the neighborhood! 
We’re celebrating 3 years of collaborating with @refuserefusesf and the @glen_parkmerchantssf of #keepingGlenParkclean and bringing the #community together!🙌🏽

Meet at Critter Fritters Pet Food and Supplies @critterfritterspetfood 
📍670 Chenery Street

Supplies and refreshments provided
No experience required

#refuserefusesf #glenpark #sanfrancisco #keepSFclean @rafaelmandelmand8 @anhishere @danielluriesf @sfpublicworks @avenuegreenlight #avenuegreenlight
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • likes 0
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Glen Park Association is in Glen Park.
1 week ago
Glen Park Association

Yesterday was a great day at the Glen Park Small Business Stroll presented by the San Francisco Public Library’s Small Business Center and our Glen Park Branch Library!
Participating merchants were @bird.beckett , @perchsf , @theclarktechnique , @pebblescafesf , @glen_park_station_bar and Glen Park historian Evelyn Rose did a BART history talk at the Glen Park BART station.

📷: Photos courtesy of Bonnee Waldstein

@sfpubliclibrary #glenparksf #glenparksmallbusinessstroll
... See MoreSee Less

Yesterday was a great day at the Glen Park Small Business Stroll presented by the San Francisco Public Library’s Small Business Center and our Glen Park Branch Library!
Participating merchants were @bird.beckett , @perchsf , @theclarktechnique , @pebblescafesf , @glen_park_station_bar and Glen Park historian Evelyn Rose did a BART history talk at  the Glen Park BART station. 

📷: Photos courtesy of Bonnee Waldstein 

@sfpubliclibrary #glenparksf  #glenparksmallbusinessstroll
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • likes 6
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 1

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Wonder what’s going on with the French restaurant on the corner of Chenery. It never reopened.

Blog Roll

Coyote Yipps
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center
Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project
Open SF History
Sunnyside Conservatory
Sunnyside History
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Tramps of San Francisco
Upper Noe Neighbors

Copyright © 2025 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in