Now a place of historic charm, the Spreckels Theatre, built in 1912, was at the time of its construction a bit of a marvel. The great San Francisco Quake of 1906 also shook up building designs of the era, which didn't handle earthquakes well. The Spreckels Theatre was designed to be earthquake-proof and fire-proof; a high-tech heating and ventilation system was also installed. John D. Spreckels, heir to the sugar empire, designed the theater after the Chicago School style of architecture. Today it is still family-owned and one of the most comfortable small-venue theaters in the county.