The Morton Theater - 195 W. Washington Street

This amazing 4 story structure is the Morton Theater. Built in 1909 by Monroe Bowers Pink Morton, the Morton is the only continuously operating theater from the early twentieth century remaining in Athens and one of only four remaining African-American vaudeville theaters in the nation. The theater is the only remaining business from the core of the African-American business district in downtown Athens. The district, known as Hot Corner because of the Morton and other African-American run businesses around that intersection, included the warehouses that are now Trapeze and Athens First Bank and Trust. On the inside, the large two-level theater seats 500 and retains much of its original character. The stage of the Morton has seen many African American performers, and it is rumored that even greats like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith have graced the walls with their sound. The building is still in use today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The corner the Morton sits on is also the site of Athfest and the Edward Wright festival, two of Athens biggest festivals, and its also where Widespread Panic played its Guinness Book-recorded largest free show in history. Even now the Morton is still at the heart of the downtown Athens entertainment scene.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Morton
• Theater
• Athens
• UGA
• Downtown
• GA
• Historic
• Preservation
• Vaudeville
• Culture

[gymratlu99]

I doubt they played for over 120,000 fans in Central Park for free like the Dave Matthews Band did back in 2003