Barelas in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Orpheum Theater
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 14, 2025
1. The Orpheum Theater Marker
This is the site of the Orpheum Theater, named for Orpheus, the legendary Greek musician and poet who cast charms and spells by his singing. This view shows the Orpheum's storefronts and its incandescent-light sign. The Orpheum was one of a number of early theaters and motion picture houses in downtown Albuquerque, including the Pastime, Ideal Lyrio, Crystal, Chief, Coronado, El Rio, Mission, and later the Sunshine, El Rey, State, and Kimo theaters. The Orpheum was converted to the Viaduct Garage in 1924 and remodeled later for other uses. The Orpheum building may be the last of its kind in downtown Albuquerque-home of a pre-statehood (1912) theater.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 35° 4.811′ N, 106° 38.994′ W. Marker is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It is in Barelas. It is on 2nd Street Southwest near Coal Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 2nd St SW, Albuquerque
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Regionally, this marker is in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Coal Avenue Viaduct (within shouting distance of this marker); First United Methodist Church Albuquerque (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. John's Cathedral (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harvey Girls / Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, 1869 - 1958 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hope Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central Bank Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gold Avenue (approx. Ό mile away); The Simms Building (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 14, 2025
2. The Orpheum Theater Marker
The marker is to the left of the entrance doors in this view.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 14, 2025
3. The Orpheum Theater Building
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2026, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2026, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
