Patrick Melarkey Save Alhambra Theatre campaign records, 1927-1988, bulk 1972-1973

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Summary

Creators:
Melarkey, Patrick (1931-2020)
Abstract:
The collection consists of personal notes, letters, official correspondence, newspaper clippings, ephemera, fliers, artwork, press releases, and photographs pertaining to Dr. Patrick Melarkey’s efforts to save the former historic Alhambra Theatre of Sacramento through the Save Alhambra Theatre campaign. Information from the collection dates from 1927 through 1988, with the majority of the material dating from 1972 and 1973.
Extent:
1 linear foot (1 half manuscript box, oversize material, photographs)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item and/or item number], [box and folder number], Patrick Melarkey Save Alhambra Theatre campaign records, MS0085, Center for Sacramento History.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of personal notes, letters, fliers, brochures, artwork, official correspondence, newspaper clippings, press releases, ephemera, and photographs pertaining to the Alhambra Theatre and the Save Alhambra Theatre campaign. The collection encompasses one box of archival materials, three oversized newspaper ads, and 60 negatives and photographs. Material dates from 1927 through 1988, with the bulk dating from 1972 and 1973. Among the archival materials are documents signed by local civic and political leaders of the Sacramento community, such as Patrick Melarkey, Harry Newstone, Phil Isenberg, and other local and state government officials. Photographs include unique views of both the interior and exterior of the historic Alhambra Theatre.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Patrick Melarkey (1931-2020) helped organize the “Save Alhambra Theatre” League (also known as the Committee to Save the Alhambra), coordinating a two-year campaign to preserve and restore Sacramento’s historic Alhambra Theatre. A native Sacramentan, Melarkey worked as a dentist, owned the restaurant and nightclub Melarkey’s Place, and served on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors from 1971 to 1979.

The Alhambra was a Sacramento classic movie house constructed in the Moorish style in 1927 by renowned architects Starks and Flanders. It was a registered historic landmark of Sacramento, but in 1973 the theater was demolished following a defeat of Measure A, a county revenue bond that would have financed the restoration of the theater had it passed. A major part of the Save Alhambra Theatre campaign involved encouraging the public to vote “Yes” on the bond in the April 17, 1973, election. Despite the committee’s failure to save the theater, the campaign garnered a considerable amount of political support from public and private agencies, local government, and local citizens. Melarkey’s efforts along with the loss of the Alhambra Theatre sparked a new historic preservation movement in the Sacramento region.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Patrick Melarkey and Jay Correia in 2004 (accession number 2004/067)
Processing information:

Processing and finding aid by April Farnham, 2005. Finding aid edited by Kim Hayden, 2020.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

All requests to publish or quote from private manuscripts held by the Center for Sacramento History (CSH) must be submitted in writing to csh@cityofsacramento.org. Permission for publication is given on behalf of CSH as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the patron. No permission is necessary to publish or quote from public records.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item and/or item number], [box and folder number], Patrick Melarkey Save Alhambra Theatre campaign records, MS0085, Center for Sacramento History.

Location of this collection:
551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95811, US
Contact:
(916) 808-7072
csh@cityofsacramento.org
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