Merced Theater, Los Angeles

Built in 1870, Merced Theater is the oldest surviving theater building in Los Angeles. It was built by cabinetmaker, William Abbot, who named the theater after his wife, Merced Garcia. William Abbot's parents came from Switzerland and Abbot married Maria Merced Garcia who grew up in El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Merced Theater is built in a brick Victorian Italianate style. Merced Theater was designed by Ezra F. Kysor who also designed the Pico House next door. On the first floor, it housed the Abbott's furniture store, the theater was on the second floor and Abbott's family's living space was on the top floor.

Merced Theater offered live theater from January 30, 1871 to 1876 - it was the center of Los Angeles theatrical activity during that period. When the Woods Opera House opened nearby in 1876, and there was an outbreak of smallpox in Merced Theater and Merced ceased being the city's leading theater. The Merced closed in 1877 and was used for informal entertainment events.

Today Merced Theater stands quietly in the center of Los Angeles Historic Park reminding visitors the past glory it once had. Merced Theater was designated a California Historic Landmark on March 6, 1935.