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Jacquelyn Littlefield (1922-2019), Steward of the Spreckels Theatre
By Welton Jones
March/April 2019
 Jacquelyn Littlefield in the Spreckels Theatre, 2013. Photo by Howard Lipin, courtesy U-T San Diego |
The late Jacquelyn Littlefield was not known as a preservationist, but for 57 years, before her death January 3 at 96, she was the stalwart guardian of a priceless property near the very top of San Diego's roster of historical treasures, the downtown Spreckels Theatre and its surrounding office and retail building.
When it opened in 1912, before the boom years of early motion pictures, the theater was considered the nation's best west of the Mississippi River. A dazzling list of stars from the concert, dramatic and variety stages, plus first-run films, played the Spreckels and it continues welcoming audiences today, as similar deluxe palaces across the country are razed.
For 57 years, Mrs. Littlefield served as a hands-on owner, resisting countless offers and considerable pressure to scrape the ornate hall designed by architect Harrison Albright and cash in on the square block near Horton Plaza Shopping Center.
In 2013, SOHO recognized Mrs. Littlefield's staunch protection and restoration of the theater with a People In Preservation Award.
Now the property's future rests with her family, the two surviving daughters, the 10 grandchildren and the 19 great-grandchildren.
There is no other structure remotely as important to the city's arts and culture heritage.
Welton Jones, a long-time SOHO member who has served on the board, was the San Diego Union-Tribune theater critic and then critic-at-large for many years.
Read Mrs. Littlefield's obituary from the Union-Tribune.
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