Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Waco Theatre

Photographed by James Hulse, August 4, 2022

1. Waco Theatre Marker

Inscription. Originally a two-story dark brick building with classical detailing, this theatre opened in 1914 as the Hippodrome. Managed by a group of Waco businessmen headed by T. P. Finnegan, it was used for silent movies, traveling Vaudeville shows, and a variety of civic events. After a minor fire in 1928 the structure was enlarged and remodeled in the present Mediterranean Revival style. It reopened the following year as the Waco Theatre. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983

Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5694.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 31° 33.282′ N, 97° 8.046′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is at the intersection of Austin Avenue and North 8th Street, on the left when traveling west on Austin Avenue. The marker is located on a side wall near the entrance to the theater. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 724 Austin Avenue, Waco TX 76701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stratton Stricker Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Sheppard "Shep" Mullens (approx.

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0.2 miles away); Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F & A.M. (approx. 0.2 miles away); McLennan County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Courthouses of McLennan County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alico Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Waco Tornado (approx. ¼ mile away); Katy Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.

Also see . . . Hippodrome Theatre. Waco History

For many years, the Hippodrome served as a hub of downtown entertainment. Locals came to know the theater managed by J. P. Harrison and well-known theater entrepreneur Earl Henry Hulsey as “Hulsey’s Hipp.” Vaudeville troupes and silent films filled the theater’s early bills. As the popularity of moving pictures steadily grew, the Hippodrome—an affiliate of Paramount Pictures—steadily began to replace live acts with silent films. Source: Amanda Sawyer

(Submitted on August 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Waco Theatre Marker under the theater awning image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse

2. The Waco Theatre Marker under the theater awning

The Waco Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 4, 2022

3. The Waco Theatre

The view of the Waco Theatre from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse

4. The view of the Waco Theatre from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 586 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.