Clifford Balch
Clifford A. Balch | |
|---|---|
| Born | Clifford Allison Balch June 23, 1880 Preston Lake, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | December 14, 1963 (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education | Throop College |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Known for | Movie theater design |
| Notable work | Golden Gate Theater Fox California Theater Pomona Fox Theatre |
Clifford Allison Balch (June 23, 1880 – December 14, 1963) was an American architect who specialized in movie theater design. Balch designed numerous theaters in Southern California, including the National Register of Historic Places-listed Golden Gate, Fox California, and Fox Pomona.
Early life
Clifford Allison Balch was born on June 23, 1880, in Preston Lake, Minnesota. His father, William C. Balch, was a carpenter and his mother, Anna S. Balch (née Houck), was a homemaker. He was one of seven children born to the couple, three of whom died in infancy. The Balch family moved to Pasadena, California in the early 1890s.[1]
Balch graduated high school in Oakland, California in 1897. He graduated from Throop College in Pasadena in 1901.[2]
Career
Balch began his career working as a draftsman for Reginald D. Johnson, a position he held for three years. He then worked for William C. Pennell for seven years.[2]
Balch worked as a resident architect while living with and supporting his mother and younger brothers c. 1909.[1] As a resident architect, he worked for William B. Edwards (1911—1913), Greene and Greene (1913—1914), Reginald D. Johnson (1914—1916), and William C. Pennell (1920—1928).[2] He served as first lieutenant in the 40th Division of the 160th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army during World War I.[3][4]
Balch worked in his own practice from 1928 to 1946[2] and at various times, he partnered with Floyd Edgar Stanbery, Walker & Eisen, Henry Franklin Withey, and his brother William Glenn Balch.[1]
Balch joined the American Institute of Architects in 1946.[2]
Personal life and death
Balch married Pearl Payne in the 1910s.[1] They had three children together: Margaret, William, and Nina.[5]
Balch died in Los Angeles on December 14, 1963 at the age of 83.[1]
List of works
Notable buildings designed by Balch include:[1][2]
Theaters
- New T and D, Berkeley, 1914
- Sunbeam, Los Angeles, 1914
- California, San Diego, 1919
- Imperial, Long Beach, 1925
- Golden Gate, East Los Angeles, 1927, NRHP-listed
- Fox West Coast Theaters
- Redlands, 1928
- Hanford, 1929
- Riverside, 1929
- California, Stockton, 1930, NRHP-listed
- Visalia, 1930
- Pomona, 1931, NRHP-listed
- Adams, San Diego, 1935
- El Rey, Los Angeles, 1936, LAHCM #520
- Palomar, Oceanside, 1936
- Esquire, Los Angeles, 1937
- Lido, Los Angeles, 1937
- Brawley, Brawley, 1937
- Miramar, San Clemente, 1938
- Lido, Newport Beach, 1939
- Newport, Newport Beach, 1939
- San Gabriel, San Gabriel, 1941
- State, Pomona, 1941
- Clune's Pasadena, Pasadena
- River, Bakersfield
- Rivoli, Los Angeles
With Walker & Eisen
- United Artists Theaters
- East Los Angeles, 1931[6]
- Inglewood, 1931[6]
- Long Beach, 1931[6]
- Pasadena, 1931[6]
- Berkeley, 1932
- El Centro, 1932
- Los Angeles, 1932[2]
- Ventura, 1932
Other buildings
- Sardi's Restaurant, Los Angeles, 1933
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Clifford A. Balch". Pacific Coast Architecture Database. University of Washington. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Historic Resource Assessment 5100-5114 Wilshire Boulevard" (PDF). Chattel, Inc. May 30, 2013.
- ^ "L.A. War Heroes' Names". Los Angeles Evening Post-Record. April 10, 1919. p. 10. Retrieved March 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Strangers, But War Makes Them Friends". Los Angeles Times. November 11, 1918. p. 2. Retrieved March 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Funeral Announcements". Los Angeles Times. December 18, 1963. p. 15. Retrieved March 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "United Artists Theater, East Los Angeles". Los Angeles Public Library Digital Collections. Retrieved June 13, 2025.