The KiMo Theater in downtown Albuquerque, built in 1927 by the Bachechi family, has become a cultural and historical landmark, drawing generations through its doors.”There’s something about here that draws people,” one visitor said.”If you walk through the lobby, you immediately know that you’re someplace special,” another visitor said.The theater was originally envisioned as a movie palace for silent films and has since evolved into a live performance space still in use today.”He wanted to build a movie palace, something that people will stream into,” one observer said.”The Young Actors group and the ballet, they do specific performances,” another visitor said.Jacqueline Murray Loring, fascinated by the KiMo Theater, has conducted research on its history.”Route 66 and the KiMo Theater and the city of Albuquerque, they grew up together,” Loring said. “The route actually changed its direction to go right by the front of the KiMo Theater.”The theater’s name, “KiMo,” meaning “mountain lion” in the Tiwa language, was suggested by Isleta Pueblo Governor Pablo Abeita during a naming competition sponsored by the Albuquerque Journal. Its architectural style, known as Pueblo Deco, incorporates designs inspired by Pueblo culture.”It was what Mr. Bachechi wanted,” one observer said. “What you see are the designs to come from many of the pueblos.”The building also features whirling log symbols, which are often mistaken for swastikas.”They aren’t swastikas,” one visitor clarified. “These are actually called whirling logs. They are a sign of the tribes as prosperity.”For nearly 100 years, the KiMo Theater has endured challenges, with the community stepping in to preserve its legacy.”When the KiMo Theater has needed the community or a person to come forward and say, wait, wait, we can’t get rid of this. We need to honor this,” one supporter said.As cars pass through downtown Albuquerque, the KiMo stands not just as a theater but as a landmark of wonder, memory and belonging.The theater offers a variety of shows, including ballet, opera, concerts and student-led art organizations.
The KiMo Theater in downtown Albuquerque, built in 1927 by the Bachechi family, has become a cultural and historical landmark, drawing generations through its doors.
“There’s something about here that draws people,” one visitor said.
“If you walk through the lobby, you immediately know that you’re someplace special,” another visitor said.
The theater was originally envisioned as a movie palace for silent films and has since evolved into a live performance space still in use today.
“He wanted to build a movie palace, something that people will stream into,” one observer said.
“The Young Actors group and the ballet, they do specific performances,” another visitor said.
Jacqueline Murray Loring, fascinated by the KiMo Theater, has conducted research on its history.
“Route 66 and the KiMo Theater and the city of Albuquerque, they grew up together,” Loring said. “The route actually changed its direction to go right by the front of the KiMo Theater.”
The theater’s name, “KiMo,” meaning “mountain lion” in the Tiwa language, was suggested by Isleta Pueblo Governor Pablo Abeita during a naming competition sponsored by the Albuquerque Journal. Its architectural style, known as Pueblo Deco, incorporates designs inspired by Pueblo culture.
“It was what Mr. Bachechi wanted,” one observer said. “What you see are the designs to come from many of the pueblos.”
The building also features whirling log symbols, which are often mistaken for swastikas.
“They aren’t swastikas,” one visitor clarified. “These are actually called whirling logs. They are a sign of the tribes as prosperity.”
For nearly 100 years, the KiMo Theater has endured challenges, with the community stepping in to preserve its legacy.
“When the KiMo Theater has needed the community or a person to come forward and say, wait, wait, we can’t get rid of this. We need to honor this,” one supporter said.
As cars pass through downtown Albuquerque, the KiMo stands not just as a theater but as a landmark of wonder, memory and belonging.
The theater offers a variety of shows, including ballet, opera, concerts and student-led art organizations.
