From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
African American Theater Buildings in Kentucky
Of the more than 1,500 theaters listed within the title African American Theater Buildings by Eric L. Smith, a few were located in nine Kentucky cities between the years 1900-1955. The theaters were managed by both African Americans and whites, and the predominate clientele were African Americans. The theaters in Kentucky were:
- Higgins School in Vicco (Higgins School merged into Liberty Street School in 1940)
- Frankfort - Kentucky State College Theater, picture house
- Henderson - Doxy Theater, picture house
- Lexington - Ada Meade, Lyric Theater, and Orpheum Theater, all picture houses
- Louisville - Dixie Theater, Grand Theater, and Lyric Theater, picture houses. Lincoln Theater, and Palace Theater, both picture houses and vaudeville. Ruby Theater and Victory Theater were both vaudeville
- Mayfield - Unique Theater, picture house
- Owensboro - Plaza Theater, picture house
- Paducah - Hiawatha Theater, picture house
- Pikesville - Liberty Theater, picture house [should be Pikeville, KY]
- Winchester - Lincoln Theater, picture house
Texas, Florida, and North Carolina were the states with the most African American theater buildings. Also included in E. L. Smith's book is a listing of African American drive-in theaters, all were in the South.