Brief History of the Granada Theater

History of The Granada Theater
Standing at 303 Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA, and built in 1926-27, the Granada Theater was the project of Dr. Calvert L. Emmons, and was designed by architect L.A. Smith.
Dr. Emmons was a large figure in Ontario (founded 1881) for much of his life, and his family, it seems, was active in Ontario for many, many years.
"To get added law enforcement at night, local merchants hired George Emmons in 1907 as the night watchman. Standard equipment consisted of a flashlight." Courtesy of http://www.ci.ontario.ca.us
Dr. Emmons was there during the Spanish Influenza breakout in 1919, a pandemic that claimed more lives than did WW 1 (the Great War). He was on the Ontario Board of Health, he founded the California Numismatic Society, and he seemed to be active in local culture and politics.
"It is not the influenza in itself that proves fatal, but the complications that follow, as pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. All should avoid the common drinking cup and eating utensils. Be out in the fresh air and keep away from those who have colds." Dr. C.L. Emmons, 1919, Courtesy of http://www.chaffey.org
He also happened to develop the Granada Theater, as well at an office complex that adjoins or, rather, envelops, it.
Dave Perez, the man currently in charge of the Granada states: "This was the first mini mall, long before there were mini malls. People would come for a movie, then go to the rest of the building to conduct business. If they needed to buy a dress, they'd come here..."
Very forward thinking, Dr. Emmons.
The theater itself is 11300 square feet, and was used for showing movies, and Vaudeville acts in it's prime. Recently it has housed several churches, and is currently used for evens as diverse as showing old movies (complete with period dress) to grunge concerts.
The office complex attached still houses various tenants.
In the past there was also an illegal abortion clinic, as well as a legal abortion clinic in recent times.
Completely renovated, this building could easily be a centerpiece showplace (literally and figuratively) for the downtown section of Ontario.
Enough of all that. We were there for the a ghost investigation of purported haunting...
We're told that a little girl fell to her death over the railing from the balcony, and that a woman was stabbed to death on between the landings of the left and right stairwells below the balcony (near the double door entrance to the theater offices). We were also told that a former manager named Reggie used to rape women when they applied for jobs. These stories, and that's what they are, just stories, have not been substantiated by us.