Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hippodrome Theatre and the TOBA Circuit
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 10, 2026
1. Hippodrome Theatre and the TOBA Circuit Marker
The Hippodrome, Danville’s first purpose-built theatre for Black audiences, opened here in 1917. Owned by William A. Don Levy, it offered live entertainment and motion pictures. By 1922 the Hippodrome had joined the Theatre Owners’ Booking Association (TOBA), a circuit under interracial management that supplied vaudeville shows to venues serving African Americans. TOBA developed the careers of Black artists and booked them across the eastern half of the U.S., playing a foundational role in the entertainment industry. National stars such as blues pioneer Mamie Smith and Gonzell White’s Jazzers performed at the Hippodrome. Renamed the Lincoln Theatre in 1931, it closed in 1935 and burned in 1962.
Erected 2025 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-72.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 36° 35.344′ N, 79° 23.615′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on North Union Street south of High Street, on the right
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia and specifically in Central Virginia. 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 original Thirteen Colonies, 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: First State Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); This Trough (within shouting distance of this marker); Centennial Celebration of the Danville Tobacco Association (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Danville's Streetcars (about 300 feet away); Home of Dan River Fabrics (about 400 feet away); Danville Canal (about 500 feet away); Two Centuries of Hotels (about 500 feet away); Millionaires’ Row
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 10, 2026
2. Hippodrome Theatre and the TOBA Circuit Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 10, 2026
3. Hippodrome Theatre and the TOBA Circuit Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 10, 2026
4. Hippodrome Theatre and the TOBA Circuit Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 11, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
