Hillsboro West End in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Belcourt Theatre

Est. 1925

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 19, 2025

1. The Belcourt Theatre Marker, Side One

Inscription. On May 18, 1925 M. A. Lightman opened the Hillsboro Theatre for silent film, vaudeville, live concerts, and plays. Raffaelo Mattei, an image maker, of Gromignana, Italy, sculpted the stage arch. From 1926 to 1964, the stage housed the Little Theatre Guild, Children's Theatre, Community Playhouse, and Theatre Nashville. There, hundreds of plays developed the careers of Claude Jarman, Christine Tibbot. Sam Tarpley, and Delbert Mann. From 1935 to 1936, the Hillsboro Theatre also served as the Grand Ole Opry's first stage. Opry stars such as DeFord Bailey attracted thousands here each week, and the Opry developed its signature live format.

The theatre was renamed Belcourt Cinema in 1964 to focus on film exhibition. In 1968 a new second screen made it the first twin cinema in Tennessee. By 1999 the Belcourt was in disrepair and struggling to find purpose. Because developers threatened to raze the building, community members formed a nonprofit organization, which is still operative as of 2024, to save the Belcourt Theatre. The Belcourt Theatre underwent major renovation and preservation projects that were completed

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in 2016.

Erected 2025 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 272.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1925.

Location. 36° 8.208′ N, 86° 48.108′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Hillsboro West End. It is on Belcourt Avenue west of 21st Avenue Southy, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2102 Belcourt Ave, Nashville TN 37212, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

The Belcourt Theatre Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 19, 2025

2. The Belcourt Theatre Marker, Side Two

are within walking distance of this marker: Hillsboro Theater (a few steps from this marker); Bradley Recording Studio Hillsboro Village (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roger Williams University (approx. ¼ mile away); Sea Serpent (“The Dragon”) Restoration (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Roger Williams University (approx. 0.3 miles away); George Peabody College for Teachers (approx. 0.3 miles away); Betty Chiles Nixon (approx. 0.3 miles away); Elizabeth Atchison Eakin (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Also see . . . History. The Belcourt Theatre is a unique Nashville treasure with a vibrant historic past and deep roots in the community. With timeline. (The Belcourt Theatre) (Submitted on October 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

The Belcourt Theatre Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 19, 2025

3. The Belcourt Theatre Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.