KiMo Theatre
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Theater · local-legend
The Story
At Albuquerque’s KiMo Theatre, a boy called Bobby is said to play on the lobby stairs. The tradition of leaving him treats has made this Pueblo Deco theater’s backstage folklore unusually sweet.
The Hauntings
Legends of America describes Bobby in a striped shirt and blue jeans, lingering on the staircase and playing tricks on theater staff. The local tradition connects him with a child lost in a 1951 explosion. Backstage treats, especially doughnuts, became a way for performers to acknowledge their mischievous companion. Another figure is less demanding: a woman in a bonnet, seen walking the corridors as though simply going about her day. These two different presences give the theater’s ghost lore both a playful and an almost ordinary character.
The History
Opened in 1927, the KiMo combines Art Deco and Southwestern design. Albuquerque purchased and preserved the building after it faced demolition; it remains a venue for performances and films.
A sense of place.
Visitor Experiences
Have you experienced something here?
This future chapter will bring together stories from the PHASM community. An unexpected encounter, a lingering feeling, or a quiet visit—your experience will be welcome.
Submissions are not open yet.
Sources & further reading.
Plan Your Visit
Use the city’s event listings and box office for authorized access at 423 Central Avenue NW. A performance ticket is not permission to enter backstage, leave food or conduct a ghost hunt.