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Esmeralda Marroquín recollects:
“My grandparents, who met as dancers at Padua Hills back in
the early 50s, played big roles there... My grandparents’ names, at that time,
were José Rubio and Nelia Yanez-Franco. My grandparents met and married, and thus
became José and Nelia Rubio.
My mother, Blanca Franco, began working there as a young teen, [and
she] met Rene Marroquín. They too, married. My aunt and two uncles performed as children
there (Angela, Pete Rubio, and Saul Rubio). Casilda happened to be the first visitor
at the hospital on the day of my birth. I, Esmeralda Marroquín, am currently a server
at Walter’s Restaurant in Claremont.
I’ve heard many stories and happy memories of the theatre.
I only hope you will do all you can to help preserve that memory for the children of
the paduanos. It’s almost a family heirloom for me. I always said to myself
that if I ever became a millionaire, I would buy it, and bring it back the way it was.
Not just the building, but the atmosphere, the menu, the daily agenda, the tastes, the
smells, the laughter, and family. The performers would gather after performances with the
guests, and they’d serve authentic homemade tacos and gazpacho and punch. Never
any alcohol. It was mingling and colorful flowers and costumes. Laughter and all the
rest. NOT weddings and catering. NOT jazz or cocktails. It was classy in an old-fashioned
way.”
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Deer Dance
Bailadores Image #1
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Rogelio Alfaro
Fiesta a San Ysidro — Apache Dance
Bailadores Image #2
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Plume Dance of Oaxaca
Bailadores Image #3
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
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Plume Dance of Oaxaca
Bailadores Image #4
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Center figure: Eligio Herrera
To his right: Rogelio Alfaro
Eligio Herrera became Theatre Director after the
death of Charles Dickenson in 1950. He taught many of the dances, such
as the Plume Dance of Oaxaca shown above, and writing some of the plays,
including the California-theme play,
Rancho viejo.
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Harvest Festival in Iguala
Bailadores Image #5
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Tecomates — Guerrero
On the right: Rene Marroquín
Identified by Esmeralda Marroquín
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A Tarascan Dance from Michoacán
Bailadores Image #6
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Dolores Galvez
Identified by her sister, Carole Salazar:
“My sister, Dolores Galvez, was one of [the paduanos], and forged long friendships with the
others. She is now 76 years old [in January 2010] and still sings. I was a teenager then [c. 1952-54], and can still remember our family
trips to Claremont to see her perform. We were very proud of her, especially when her picture would appear in the
L. A. newspapers.”
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Couple Dancing
Bailadores Image #7
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
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A Dance of Jalisco
Bailadores Image #8
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Jacinta Chavez and Rogelio Alfaro
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A Dance of Jalisco
Bailadores Image #9
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Rogelio Alfaro
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Musicians & dancers on stage
Bailadores Image #10
Alfaro Family Collection
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
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Bailadores Image #11
Celia García and Rogelio Alfaro
Alfaro Family Collection
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Thanks to Linda Cervon for identification.
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Los viejitos
Bailadores Image #12
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Los viejitos is a comedic dance requiring great stamina
and skill which has long been popular in Mexico.
Conchita Gallardo, October 2, 1947
Bailadores Image #13
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection
Dancers at Padua Hills Theatre
Bailadores Image #14
Historical photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner
Historic Postcard — Los californios® Collection
Miguel Vera and Hilda Ramírez
Thanks to Joe Vera for identification.
Miguel Vera and Hilda Ramírez, May 8, 1941
Bailadores Image #15
Historical photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner
Vera Family Collection
Scan contributed by Joe Vera
Irene Morales (Escobar)
Bailadores Image #16
This is a photo of Irene Morales (Escobar) who was a dancer at Padua in 1944. Born in San Antonio Texas on 02-18-1924, she passed away
in 2004 while residing in the City of Alhambra. The information provided is by her youngest son,
Enrique.
Historical photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner
Eva Frances Talamantes De Soto and José De Soto
Bailadores Image #17
“Dearest Vykki,
We are thrilled with your web-site. Thanks so much. My father-in law’s picture is on your web-site, José de Soto. He and my mother-in law, Eva Frances Talamantes De Soto, danced at Padua for years. I am sending you you a picture of them dancing.
Gabriel Ruiz was a multi talented man. There was a movie with his dancers. “Rose of the Rancho,” Paramont Studios 1934. The other dancing pictures were turned over by the Ruiz family to the Gene Autry Museum. You can see them on the web. Some of the pictures are not properly identified. But it is wonderful. My husband still has his dad’s outfit which he can fit into.
Thank you for all the wonderful work.
Sincerely, Joan & John De Soto”
Historical photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner
Isabel Alba and Luis Abundiz
Bailadores Image #18
This photo shows Isabel Alba and Luis Abundiz
dancing the spur dance, Las espuelas,
in the play Calle del beso. This play ran
from June 22 through July 23, 1955.
Historical photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner
Isabel Alba and Luis Abundiz
Bailadores Image #19
Luis leaps over sombrero in comedy play Calle del beso. Isabel Alba was the Grandmother of actress Jessica Alba.
Historical photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner
Isabel Alba and Luis Abundiz
Bailadores Image #20
Historical photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner
Luis Abundiz and Isabel Alba
Bailadores Image #21
Luis Abundiz and Isabel Alba dance La Chilena in the play Mis Invitados, which ran from October 6
through November 13, 1954.
Historical photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner
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If your family has recollections or images of Padua Hills Theatre that you would like
to share on this web site, please contact Los californios® at
info@loscalifornios.com.
© Vykki Mende Gray, 2020
All rights reserved.
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All rights reserved.
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San Diego Friends of Old-Time Music, Inc.,
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