When the San Francisco 1906 Earthquake and Fire destroyed almost all of downtown,which was built mainly on landfill,this included almost all of the theaters,both stage and screen. Since the Mission District was built on bedrock,it survived with barely a scratch,so almost immediately,many very grand and lavish new theaters went up there. This included the New Mission Theater,which opened in 1907. The 70 foot (21m) Tail Fin sign became a fixture of the neighborhood. Although the theater closed in the early 1980's and was transformed into a furniture store,the marquee managed to survive. It wasn't until there were plans to tear down the building that local activists organized in protest,getting the building listed as a National Historic Building,saving it. It was finally bought by the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain,which has become famous for the quality of their theaters as well as food and drink offered,including in the theater part itself. As seen 1 February 2023.
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