Members of the San Clemente Historical Society joined the board of directors and staff of the Cabrillo Playhouse on Sunday afternoon, March 29, to celebrate the installation of a new plaque on the exterior of the playhouse, noting its classification as a historic Ole Hanson home as well as the year of its construction, 1928.
The San Clemente Historical Society was founded in 1973 in response to concerns about the demolition of historic buildings that had begun in earnest all over town. Today, its mission is to preserve and promote the heritage of San Clemente across a variety of initiatives.
The plaque program identifies historic properties throughout San Clemente and highlights the city’s founding as a significant moment in its history. It also recognizes the importance of preserving these long-standing homes and encourages investment in their restoration. This particular plaque was sponsored by Rainbow Sandals, which made a donation to support the program several months ago.
Attendees gathered inside the theatre for a short presentation led by Tom Marshall, who serves on the board of both the historical society and the playhouse. Marshall highlighted key moments in the playhouse’s nearly 75-year history, noting that the building was originally constructed in 1928 for the Adair family and later owned by William J. Barry, the city’s first City Clerk. In 1966 San Clemente Community Theatre, which had previously been meeting at Las Palmas Elementary or the Elks Lodge stage, purchased the home and adjacent lot to establish a permanent venue, transforming the residence into what is now the Cabrillo Playhouse. He also touched on the theatre’s recent $250,000 renovation.
Artistic Director/Producer Michael Lopez then shared highlights of the project, including the raised roof and stage, refurbished lobby and seating, and a state-of-the-art lighting system. He also noted opportunities for community members to support upcoming productions as credited Supporting Producers or by underwriting specific production elements. The event concluded with a discussion of potential collaboration between the two organizations as the city’s 100th anniversary and Cabrillo’s 75th approaches in 2028.