Lincoln Theater, Los Angeles
historic place
In Los Angeles County, the Lincoln Theater stands as a significant historic place. This Moorish Revival building was constructed between 1926 and 1927, opening in October 1927. It featured a large stage, an orchestra pit, and seating for up to 2,100 patrons. The Lincoln Theater quickly became a cultural and business hub along the Central Avenue Corridor, serving the African American community from the 1920s to the 1950s. It hosted live theater, concerts, vaudeville, and films. Often called the "West Coast Apollo," it showcased many prominent African American performers, including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Nat King Cole. The City of Los Angeles designated it a Historic-Cultural Monument in March 2003. In 2009, the Lincoln Theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A historical marker, erected in 2020, highlights its importance as the "first theater on the west coast for African-Americans." The Lincoln Theater remains a key architectural and cultural landmark on Central Avenue.