Santa Barbara Earthquake of June 29, 1925
Potter Theatre
One of the leading playhouses of the West, the Potter Theatre was destroyed by the June 29 earthquake. The upper part of the stage fell into a ruined mass and the proscenium arch was shaken into daylight.
Nearly all prominent players of the last 18 years have appeared at this theatre, as many artists were drawn to Santa Barbara by the city's beautiful situation and cheery, even climate.
The list included Robert Mantel, David Warfield, Otis Skinner, Harry Lauder, John, Lionel, and Ethel Barrymore, Henry Miller, Blanche Bates, Ed Wynn, Fred Stone, and May Robson. Among the musicians were Fritz Kreisler, Madame Schumann-Heink, Padrewski, and Madam Alda.
In 1907, the Potter Theatre named in honor of Milo M. Potter, was completed by the Theatre Improvement Company, composed of John Logamarsino, J.A. Rafetto, Adam Ott, James V. Murray, D.T. Perkins, and A. Izard.