Albuquerque Original Townsite in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
KiMo Building
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 11, 2023
1. KiMo Building Marker
Building
Oreste Bachechi
Erected
1927
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 35° 5.088′ N, 106° 39.16′ W. Marker is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It is in Albuquerque Original Townsite. Marker is at the intersection of Central Avenue Northwest and 5th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on Central Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 423 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque NM 87102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Simms Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Railroad (Central) Avenue (about 600 feet away); The First National Bank Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tijeras Canyon Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hope Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. John's Cathedral (approx. 0.2 miles away);
this page online
Regarding KiMo Building. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
In 1925 Oreste Bachechi, a prominent and successful member of the Italian community in Albuquerque and owner of the Pastime Theater, made plans to build a new movie palace. Bachechi went to Hollywood to find a architect for the new theater which he planned to build at the corner of Fifth and Central. He met Carl Boller, senior partner of Boller Brothers, AIA … He travelled all over New Mexico, visiting Indian pueblos and reservations, and gathering a wealth of design material. Pablo Abeita, well-known governor of the Pueblo of Isleta, and founder of the All-Pueblo Indian Council, suggested the name for the theater to Boller: KiMo, meaning “king of its kind.”
… Boller contracted with George Williamson of Albuquerque to oversee construction as associate architect. The firm of Robert E. McKee was hired for the construction. In a little over a year, at a cost of $150,000, including $18,000 for the elaborate organ, the KiMo was completed. Thetheater opened on September 19, 1927. Two thousand people jammed the theater. … The program featured sixty Indian dancers, Indian singers and a film, Patsy Ruth Miller and Glen Tyron in “Painting the Town.”Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 11, 20232. KiMo Building Marker
Also see . . .
1. Kimo Theater (PDF). National Register nomination for the venue, which was listed in 1977. (Prepared by Sylvia Cook of the New Mexico State Planning Office, and William G. Ososky of Albuquerque Historic Landmarks Survey; via National Archives) (Submitted on November 10, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. History of The KiMo. City of Albuquerque website entry:
Virtual tour, background of the original owner and other information about the venue, which was saved from demolition when Albuquerque citizens voted to buy it in 1977. (Submitted on November 10, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
3. KiMo: King of its Kind. PBS website entry:
Glowing cow skulls, fabulous deco-Pueblo sty...Built in 1927 the KiMo is an Albuquerque landmark and one of our country's great movie palaces. The KiMo personifies Albuquerque's history and has lived many lives. Join us for this special documentary as we learn of the KiMo's fascinating history from its birth, its heyday, facing the wrecking ball and being reborn. (original airdate Dec. 17, 2005) (Submitted on November 10, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 23, 2023
3. KiMo Building and Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 11, 2023
4. The KiMo Theatre
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on November 22, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4, 5. submitted on November 10, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
