Peoria Theatre
2541 N. Peoria Avenue,
Tulsa,
OK
74106
2541 N. Peoria Avenue,
Tulsa,
OK
74106
No one has favorited this theater yet
Additional Info
Previous Names: Ace Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Peoria Theatre was an African-American movie theatre that operated from 1948 to 1957.
Contributed by
Lauren Grubb
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
North Tulsa hotspots, including the Peoria theatre, can be traced here on this link;
View link
Under the heading “Apache & Peoria” the Peoria Cinema can be seen photo left. This snapshot is dated 1954, and it looks as if the Peoria had already shuttered, as the marquee letterboard is bare. Most Likely the Peoria died a slow death as did many theatres of that period; sporadically open off and on, then weekends only, till finally it shut down completely.
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/BFC/index.htm
The African-American owned Anderson Amusement Company launched the Peoria Theatre on November 27, 1947 with Mona Freeman in “Black Beauty.” Reverand Harold Anderson was one of the pioneering members of the company as was Floyd Harris. The venue had 300 seats on the main floor and 200 additional seats in its balcony for a capacity of 500 plus a cry room for parents with loud babies or children. It also had a long-running neighbor in the Peoria Barber Shop.
Beginning on December 2, 1950, the venue added Church of the Mass services on Sundays. The Peoria closed on June 6, 1956 with “The Harder They Fall” and “Outlaw Stallion.” It was taken over by Paul Fellows, Bob Bassett, and Donald McGowan who - after a refresh - relaunched it as the Ace Theater on October 5, 1956 with “Picnic” and “The Nebraskan.” The last ad for the Ace was on March 3, 1958 with “Operation Mad Ball” with “Masterson of Kansas.” The venue was was listed for sale in 1958. It became a photography studio but disappears from listings in the 1980s likely leading to an urban renewal demolition - though that would only be a guess.
Google Streetview of April 2022 shows only vacant land at this address. Status should be demolished.