About this landmark

A modernist performance venue that replaced its earthquake-destroyed predecessor.

The Torrance High School Auditorium is located at 2200 W. Carson Street on the Torrance High School campus. Designed by architect (Abraham) Wesley Eager, the auditorium was built in 1938 at a cost of $100,700 and funded by the Public Works Administration. The building is an outstanding example of PWA Moderne architecture and was listed on the National Register on October 13, 1983, under reference No. 83003499.

Earthquake Loss and Rebuilding

Torrance High School opened on September 11, 1917. Campus expansions during the early decades included a senior patio and fountain built in 1921, a home economics wing, and an assembly hall built in 1924—Torrance's first large meeting hall. The March 10, 1933 Long Beach earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.4, destroyed the upper part of this original auditorium and caused the ground near it to sink several feet. The sunken area was nicknamed the "Sunken Garden" until the site was rebuilt with a replacement structure.

Following the destruction from the 1933 earthquake, a new auditorium was constructed on the same site. Built in 1938 and funded by the Public Works Administration, the replacement building was designed by architect (Abraham) Wesley Eager in the PWA Moderne architectural style. The structure could accommodate over 700 people and, with its state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, was the only venue in Torrance suitable for major performances until the 1950s, serving as the cultural center of the community for many decades.

A Historic Campus and Architectural Legacy

The Auditorium remains one of four historic buildings on the Torrance High School campus that are listed on the National Register. The Main Building, also at 2200 W. Carson, was built in 1917 with significant development in 1921, designed by architects Robert Allen Farrell and E. H. Cline. The campus also features a gymnasium and print shop constructed in the late 1920s, and the Torrance High Annex building, which served elementary students until 1963. These structures reflect the school's expanding role in the community throughout the twentieth century.

The Auditorium's PWA Moderne design exemplifies the architectural achievements of New Deal-era construction. Its capacity and equipped performance facilities made it a cultural anchor for Torrance, and the building's listing on the National Register recognizes its enduring historical and architectural significance to the community and region.

Insurance connection: Earthquake coverage

Homeowners, renters, and condominium policies do not cover earthquake damage. Earthquake coverage must be purchased separately; insurers must offer it in writing every other year to existing policyholders. Most earthquake policies in California are provided through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), which must be purchased through a member insurance company holding your property policy. CEA deductibles range from 5% to 25% of coverage, though homes over $1 million or built before 1980 on a raised foundation carry a minimum 15% deductible. Earthquake insurance does not duplicate homeowners coverage for fire following an earthquake. Eligibility and limits depend on your individual policy. The issued policy controls.

Learn more about the Auditorium

Primary sources: Information verified through the Auditorium's National Register entry, the Living New Deal archive, and Torrance High School records.