Historic Route 66
KiMo Theatre, NM

The KiMo Theatre was opened in 1927 as a picture palace during an era when an outing to the movies was considered the highest fashion. A fire nearly destroyed the Art Deco structure in 1963, but it has been restored to the example of Southwestern originality that it was when it was built.

The name, KiMo, became the official name of the theatre after a naming contest. The winner, awarded $50, came up with the name that translates to "King of its Kind" in the Tewa language.

Architecture

Oreste Bachechi, an Italian American, envisioned a unique theatre that would rival the Greek and Chinese-inspired theatres typical of the ear with its own Southwestern style. The interior was largely inspired by Native American cultures: war drum-shaped chandeliers are hung from the ceiling, Navajo rugs mask air vents, and longhorn steer skulls with glowing eyes line the walls. The entire atmosphere of the theatre captures the eclectic spirit of the Southwest perfectly.

Hollywood Spirit

The KiMo embodied an era when America began the love affair with the motion picture and television. Vivian Vance, Sally Rand, Gloria Swanson, Tom Mix and Ginger Rogers all began as performers at the KiMo.

Saving History

The KiMo was nearly destroyed by fire in 1963, and again abandoned after the downtown of Albuquerque began to dissipate. It was restored after Albuquerque's citizens voted to buy the historic building and reopen it for business.