A rare, relatively recent shot of the interior of the Fox Theatre. By Don Solosan

It’s after 2 in the morning; I can’t sleep in anticipation of tomorrow.

I’m in San Diego for the State Historical Resources Commission hearing on the National Register of Historic Places application for the Inglewood Fox Theatre located on Market Street. It’s taken two years to create the detailed and in-depth application and another six months of waiting. Now the day is here.

Nearly four years ago, the Historic Site Preservation Committee (now the nonprofit Inglewood Historic Preservation Alliance) decided to save the Inglewood Fox.

We looked for a project after our restoration of the “History of Transportation” mural. Several possibilities were suggested, but all agreed the Fox was the most endangered structure in town.
Opened in March 1949, the Fox was one of the final structures built by the Fox West Coast chain. Fox studios used the lavish, 1019-seat Fox for first- run movies, previews and premieres. In time, an anti- trust suit separated Fox studios from their movie theatre chain.
The Fox chugged along, but movie theatres became multiplexes and the Fox was no longer viable. Its last gasp was as a Spanish language theatre with the last film shown in 1988. Inside, the Fox is a veritable time capsule–everything remains.

Fast-forward 20 years, when the effort to “Save the Fox” was born. The City of Inglewood made an offer, but the owner did not accept and potential buyers have been few and far between since. With construction of the MTA Crenshaw line on the horizon, the Fox’s asking price has soared out of sight to $1.4 million.

In the hearing room, I listen to the agenda items. There is a video presentation of the seven properties nominated. I hold my breath as one of the properties is pulled from the Consent Calendar; thankfully, it is not the Fox. No further objections and all nominations are passed at 10:07 a.m. We did it!! The Inglewood Fox Theatre is now among California’s Historic Resources and soon, the nation. The Commission will recommend that the National Register approve the nomination.

Now the real work begins. We must raise greater awareness of “Save the Fox” in the community, find a buyer to work with us, raise money and secure grants for the restoration, and obtain the tax credits that accompany historic restoration. There is still a very long road remaining to restore the Inglewood Fox.