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Also known as Madame Walker Theatre Center

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Walker Theatre

Indianapolis, IN

617 Indiana Avenue

, Indianapolis, IN 46202 United States

(map)

Status:	Open
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Performing Arts
Seats:	1200
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Rubush & Hunter

Exterior view of the Walker Theatre

Photo courtesy of Jason Young

A rare example of African Deco styling (which featured African shields and spears, sphinxes, and chimpanzees), the Walker Theatre was concieved by Madam C. J. Walker, America's first black millionairess, after she was charged a higher price to attend another downtown theater because of her race.

Walker died in 1919, before the theater was finished, but her daughter A'Lelia completed the theater in her mother's memory. The theater building also contained a ballroom, casino, beauty shop, pharmacy, and coffee shop. It was located in the heart of the African American community, Indiana Avenue, which was famed for its jazz halls.

Recently, the building has undergone a complete restoration. There are plans to install a theater organ, which will hopefully be the original Barton Organ that was removed long ago.

Contributed by Jason Young

YOUR COMMENTS

This theatre opened around 1927 and the architects were Rubush and Hunter.

posted by atmos on Jan 14, 2005 at 4:33am

This theater is known as the "Madame Walker Theatre Center" and the address is:
617 Indiana Avenue
Indianapolis, IN. 46202

This theater has a website here:
http://www.walkertheatre.com/

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 14, 2005 at 6:46am

A Barton organ Size 2/6 was installed in the Walker Theater in 1927.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 1, 2005 at 8:46am

The Walker Theatre opened on December 26, 1927 with seating for 1500. It was considered the finest Negro theatre west of New York. For many years the Walker offered both motion pictures and vaudeville. The first group to appear at the Walker stage were Reginald Devalle and his Black Birds, with Lovy & Shorty. Mme. Walker passed away on May 25, 1919. The organist for the Walker theatre on the Barton-2M was Ms. Mary Signleton.

posted by Chuck1231 on Oct 15, 2005 at 7:13pm

Photos:
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/10/walkerth1.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/10/walkerth2.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/10/walkerth3.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/10/walkerth4.jpg

Link:
http://www.madamecjwalker.com/

posted by ken mc on Jan 27, 2006 at 2:48pm

Here is a recent 2006 photo of the Walker Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 21, 2006 at 6:11am

Here is a 1928 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/p7veu

posted by ken mc on Aug 24, 2006 at 2:14pm

Another recent photo of the Walker Theater can be seen here.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 25, 2006 at 4:36am

This is a 1956 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/z3dru

posted by ken mc on Sep 1, 2006 at 7:25pm

This is a recent photo of the Walker Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Nov 15, 2006 at 8:24am

This website has two vintage photos of the Walker Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Dec 4, 2006 at 11:12am

Here is a 2007 photo of the Walker Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on May 19, 2007 at 4:12pm

This is another photo of the Walker Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 29, 2007 at 7:20pm

This is a circa 1952 photo. Click on the photo to expand it.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 27, 2007 at 3:16pm

Here is a circa 1930 photo. Click on the photo to expand it.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 28, 2007 at 7:15pm

Here are some Walker Theater related photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Photo4

Photo5

Photo6

posted by Lost Memory on Feb 27, 2009 at 12:16pm

Here are some additional Walker Theater related photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Photo4

Photo5

posted by Lost Memory on Feb 27, 2009 at 1:55pm

Another photo of the Walker Theater is here.

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 10, 2009 at 1:02pm

This is a 2009 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 17, 2009 at 4:58pm

Here is another 2009 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 30, 2009 at 7:22pm

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