The Long Beach Earthquake of 1933 Shatters Lynwood

In 1933, buildings made of brick and shoddy mortar did not stand up to the test of an estimated 6.4 earthquake centered in Long Beach. Lynwood, just a few short miles north of the city, had the same issue.

The earthquake happened at 5:55 p.m. on March 10, 1933. A reported 115 people lost their lives in the aftermath, but that many more would have been lost if it had happened during school hours since many of the schools collapsed.

The Lynwood Theatre existed long before our beloved Arden Theatre, but was brought down to rubble in the 1933 quake.

Another view of the Lynwood Theatre after the quake.

Although there are no street names in this photo, the Security First National Bank is shown on a corner of a Lynwood retail street.