This last month of building progress required some creative thinking after our donated concrete fell through. Local contractor AM Stephens stepped in with a discount and a great solution that helped us save approximately $12,000 in estimated concrete costs. Experts Johnny Edwards and Greg “Junior” Soares from AM Stephens recommended pouring new concrete only in the center section of the room, making it even with the existing slabs instead of raising the entire floor. The firefighters returned to remove about 10 tons of fill in the center section and the floors were ready to be poured. Looking at the building with a complete first floor has been an important milestone to visualizing the future Lodi Historical Museum.

It is with great sadness that we begin to say goodbye to the Sunset Theater. This week, demolition began on our long-beloved, long-abandoned landmark.

Designed by San Francisco architect Albert Larsen & built in 1950, Sunset Theater debuted with a screening of John Wayne’s “Sands of Iwo Jima”. The opening of the theater was an exciting affair, featuring an amphibious tractor on display to promote the film with over 2,000 attendees and a performance from the Lodi Union High School Band. Until then, there were no theaters outside of Downtown Lodi and the Sunset was a big deal!