Lewis Arthur Smith

Lewis Arthur Smith (February 26, 1869 – March 13, 1958) was an American architect best known for the many theaters he designed in the Los Angeles area, most notably the Vista, El Portal, and Highland in Los Angeles, the Rialto in South Pasadena, and the Ventura in Ventura.

Biography Lewis Arthur Smith was born in Ohio in 1869 to German parents. He had one sister three years his elder.

By 1910, Smith was living in Los Angeles. In 1914, he married F. W. Smith, however she died sometime between 1920 and 1930. Smith was living with his sister in 1930 and he died in 1958. Smith designed approximately forty theaters in total, many of which were for Bard's and Fox West Coast Theatres.

Smith partnered with William Pennell in 1920.

Theaters Smith's notable theaters (in Los Angeles unless otherwise noted) include: Casino (1921) Circle (1921) Tivoli (1921) Wilshire (1921) Rivoli (1921–1922)

Bard's Hollywood (1923), now known as the Vista Bard's West Adams (1924–1925) Manchester (1924–1925)

Rialto, South Pasadena (1924–1925), NRHP #78000700 West Coast, San Bernardino (1924–1925) Bard's Eighth Street (1925) Ritz (1926, demolished 1977) West Coast Redlands, Redlands (1927–1928) Ventura, Ventura (1928), NRHP #86003523 West Coast Riverside, Riverside (1928–1929)

Other buildings Other buildings designed by Smith (all in Los Angeles) include: Withers Residence (1926), LAHCM #648 Roosevelt Hospital