Pomona city feature
About this landmark
A grand 1931 Art Deco theater in downtown Pomona.
The Fox Theater Pomona is located at 301 South Garey Avenue, at the corner of Garey Avenue and 3rd Street in downtown Pomona. When it opened on April 24, 1931, it was a 1,750-seat movie palace designed by architects Clifford A. Balch and Floyd E. Stanbery. The Art Deco building features a distinctive 81-foot corner tower designed in the "Hollywood Egyptian Style," which was the tallest structure in the Pomona Valley when it was built, originally topped with a red-and-blue neon FOX sign. Today, the theater sits in the Pomona Arts Colony, the flagship attraction of a district surrounded by galleries, restaurants, and shops.
A cinematic palace built in the early movie era
The theater's construction cost $300,000, reflecting the grandeur of the era. The design style draws from Art Deco, specifically described as "Hollywood Egyptian Style," with the distinctive 81-foot corner tower originally topped with a red-and-blue neon FOX sign. The interior featured murals, tapestries, elaborate plaster panels, and ornamental ironwork throughout the space. The building incorporated one of the first commercial air-conditioning systems in the country, making it a technological marvel for moviegoers of the 1930s. The venue was designated a historic place when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 19, 1982.
The Fox operated as a first-run movie house for decades before closing in 1976 due to declining attendance. The City of Pomona purchased the building in 2002. A restoration project spanning two years and costing $10 million brought the theater back to life. It reopened on May 21, 2009, after the extensive restoration effort, and is now managed by AEG Presents as an event venue.
An active event venue serving the Arts Colony today
The restored Fox Theater operates as an event space hosting concerts, theatrical performances, and other programming. It remains the flagship attraction of downtown Pomona's Arts Colony, drawing visitors to the district's galleries, restaurants, and shops. The venue is located at the intersection of Garey Avenue and 3rd Street, a key landmark in the historic downtown area.
For information about upcoming events, performances, and bookings, the theater can be reached at (909) 784-3677. The Fox continues to serve as a cultural centerpiece for Pomona and the surrounding region, maintaining its role as one of the area's most significant entertainment venues.
Insurance connection: Home insurance and historic structures
Homeowners policies provide Coverage A for the dwelling structure. Replacement cost policies pay the full cost of rebuilding, while actual cash value policies deduct depreciation. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude earthquake, flood, and water damage. California insurers are legally required to offer earthquake coverage for an additional premium. Unless a policy includes building-code-upgrade coverage, insurers are not obligated to pay the cost of bringing structures up to current building codes during repairs. Eligibility and coverage limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: Fox Theater venue information, LA Conservancy historic-places profile, and Wikipedia article on Fox Theater.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.