(KAMR) – Liberty Theater, a historic venue built in 1921 in downtown Amarillo, remains a poignant symbol of the city’s civil rights history despite being abandoned since 1953.

The theater, constructed by two Jewish residents, was notable for allowing Black and Hispanic patrons to view films from its balcony, a rare practice at the time in Amarillo.

“The Liberty Theater, which still stands as a shell of its former self very close to the city library, as far as we understand it was not exactly integrated but Black citizens could see movies there,” said Wes Reeves, chairman of the Potter County Historical Commission.

Reeves noted that the theater provided a glimpse into the White world for people of color, who were otherwise denied access to entertainment and information.
Efforts to revitalize the theater were made 12 years ago, with studies indicating the building was structurally sound at the time. However, the roof has since deteriorated, threatening the building’s integrity, and it’s not clear who could step in to help preserve the historic structure.

The Liberty Theater stands as a reminder of past injustices and the ongoing need to preserve historical sites that reflect the civil rights struggles in Amarillo.

All facts from this article were gathered by Nexstar journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence.  It has been edited and approved by Nexstar staff.