Alpha Theatre
221 Clifton Street,
Waco,
TX
76704
221 Clifton Street,
Waco,
TX
76704
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The Alpha Theatre was opened in 1947 and operated to around 1970. Opened in Waco (still semi-called historically ‘Six Shooter Junction’ at the time) by residents; Heyward Weaver Jr.(1921-2005), Edward D. Bonner Jr.(1919-1986) and George L. Pryor(1918-1963), ex-GI’s returning home from World War II.
The Alpha Theatre was predominately the only African-American theatre in Waco other than the Gem Theatre (but, only for a period of time until the Gem Theatre closed). The Alpha Theatre was designated a Texas Historic Landmark in 2022.
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Randy A Carlisle - RAC Photography
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Some additional historical detail about the the Alpha and a picture of it when was operating can be read and seen here.
The $35,000 Alpa Theatre opened in 1947 and got its name from a nearly twenty year old restaurant called the Alpha Café which moved from Austin Avenue to the 219 Clifton next to the Alpha Theater. The east-side Alphas served locals in the African American business district and marketed to the nearby Paul Quinn College student population. The area was served by the last-remaining electrified streetcar line upon opening.
The theater closed during what was likely a 20 year lease and was vacant for a period. The Alpha Café became the Alpha Grill which out survived its neighbor with live jazz music until the early 1970s. The theater became a hair products factory in 1976 when the building was renovated and received a slight extension. Its longest period was vacant with stored junk for a lengthy period. Cleaned up in 2015 for potential renovation as children’s theater and community center. It can be listed as renovating.
As of 2019, it was still disused for anything at all.
Closed or placed its last listings in 1962. It has been recently taken over by the Just as I am ministries to be used as an “Musical & Theatrical Arts Center for Youth”