Alameda Theater

San Antonio (1949, restoration ongoing): More than 1,050 pieces of cold cathode adorn the 86-foot high marquee of the Alameda Theater. Inside, fluorescent blacklight murals depict the history of Texas and Mexico, while massive white moldings undulate like piped fondant from balcony to stage. When it opened, the Alameda was the largest movie palace ever dedicated to Spanish language film and performing arts, with architecture by San Antonio’s N. (Nathan) Straus Nayfach and paintings by Hanns R. Teichert of Chicago and local artist Pedro Teran. Efforts to restore the theater are ongoing, while the adjacent improved Texas Public Radio headquarters is completed.