Introducing The Royal Theater

Anyone who was someone in music performed at the Royal Theater. Opening in 1921, The Royal Theater was originally known as the Douglas. It was the only theater built by African Americans for “colored” audiences. Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Royal theater was a sister theater to The Apollo in New York City and The Howard in Washington. This theater was of great significance to Baltimore’s African American history.
After being sold to White owners in 1926, the royal theater was then known as “The royal.” Performers such as Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, and many more graced the stage with their presence. While there was new ownership, Whites also came to the Royal to enjoy the performers. Therefore, The Royal was not only historic to African Americans but for everyone who lived in Baltimore City.
Although The Royal was “the place to be”, one has to ask the question; what happened to this great historical landmark? My goal with this research project is to take you back to the time when Baltimore’s entertainment was similar to Harlem in the Roaring 20’s. I want you to explore the rich history of this amazing theater and why it was a major accomplishment in the heart of black Baltimore. However, I also want you to understand why we no longer have this historical building.

This is Harder then I thought

So far I have looked up books and information on the internet for my research project on The Royal Theater. It seems as though I’m not having much luck with gathering a lot of information. The direction that I would like to go in (at this point) would be Baltimoreans reaction to this new theater during the 1920’s. I’m trying to understand what it was like, as a “colored” person to make that type of accomplishment. I would like to know if the owners were afraid, overwhelmed, or just living for that moment. On the flip side, I’m seeking information on the Caucasians point of view. I didn’t think that I would run into a wall so early into my research; however, I’m going to go to the library to see if I can find some old articles or photos, so that I can get a better feel for what Pennsylvania Avenue was like during the 1920’s.
Overall, I think this topic is a challenging one. I’m skeptical on how I can turn it into a nine page paper. However, I’m also determined and I know this project will be a great experience. So stay tuned!

A New Direction

I went to the Library last week and to my surprise I was able to find a lot of information on the Royal Theater. I found a paper that was written several years ago by a student who attended Morgan State University, Pictures, and a few articles. I was very excited to have come in contact with this information; however, it still wasn’t enough. It was kind of frustrating that I was unable to find the information I was looking for. Most of the pictures and articles were about the people who performed at the Royal and how it was one of the best places to be in the African American community. I wanted to know more about the owners of the Theater and things that went on behind the curtains.
After having a conversation with my professor, I decided to broaden my topic and research “Pennsylvania Avenue and The Royal Theater.” The Royal Theater was located on Pennsylvania Avenue and during that time Pennsylvania Avenue was known as the heart of Black Baltimore. Now that my topic has changed, I have more work to do. I’m going to take you back to the 1920’s, a time when people in Baltimore just had fun and the entertainment industry was astonishing; but more Importantly I will educate you on what it was like for Black’s during that time period.

A little about Pennsylvania Avenue

Pennsylvania Avenue also known as “The Avenue” has some of Baltimore’s richest Black history. Any Baltimorean who was born 1950 or prior can tell you tales of the avenue. There was night clubs, restaurants, clothing stores, and some of the best entertainment in the city. Although most of the clothing stores were owned by Europeans; African Americans were treated differently. They were allowed to try on clothing, which wasn’t allowed elsewhere.
Pennsylvania Avenue was also known as “The Street of Dreams.” Black’s enjoyed Pennsylvania Avenue because it was a comfort zone; they were allowed to hang out on Friday’s and Saturday’s without being harassed by White’s. These are a few pictures from 1920’s – 1930’s of Pennsylvania avenue.




mdcivilrights.org

Wow! I had no Idea...

Pennsylvania Avenue wasn’t only a home for African Americans. During the 1700’s and 1800’s Europeans would travel from Southern Pennsylvania to trade and conduct other business. Before “The Avenue” had the name we know it as today, it went through three changes; The Wagon Road, Hooks town Road, Pennsylvania Road and finally Pennsylvania Avenue. Between 1688 and 1865 many Black slaves and freemen worked in what was known as Druid Hill Park. Druid Hill Park is only a couple of blocks away from Pennsylvania Avenue; Druid Hill Park had most of Baltimore’s Black population.
In 1799 the first group of slaves settled from Hattie’s. However, Pennsylvania Avenue didn’t become a predominately Black community until the 1920s. With the increase in Black churches, schools, night clubs, restaurants, hotels, barbers shops, beauty salons, insurance companies, banks, newspapers and medical facility named Provident Hospital. Pennsylvania Avenue became a successful community. Baltimore at that time was a segregated city, many African American inhabitants considered Pennsylvania Avenue “a City within a City.”

I will rearrange my blogs

After reading my blogs I realized that I needed to reorder my blogs so that they make sense. I just wanted to make my readers aware of this so that you aren’t confused.

The 1920's:"The Avenue" was full of life!

The 1920 census showed that 90 percent of Baltimore’s Black population lived along Pennsylvania Avenue. As I stated before, Pennsylvania was the heart of the Black community. This area played the most important role in the development of Black culture in Baltimore. Day and night Pennsylvania Avenue was crowded. Children attended school there; people shopped, listened to music, danced, and fulfilled their dreams and desires.




In 1921 the Royal Theater was built. I started my research with the royal theater. When the theater was finally complete this gave the Black community a sense of pride. The people who performed at the theater stayed in Black owned hotels such as the Smith’s hotel (once located at 435 N. Paca Street) owned by Thomas R. Smith. Mr. Smith was well known in the community and considered to be one of the wealthiest black men in Baltimore during the 20’s.The Penn hotel was also located on Pennsylvania Avenue. After celebrities performed, they would hang out and eat at some of the local restaurants.
As I read the information on Pennsylvania Avenue I felt the liveliness of this neighborhood. It made me feel like I was there dancing, singing, and just living for the moment.