Today, downtown Knoxville stands as a nationally recognized hub for business and living, exemplifying how historic preservation can enrich communities. However, this wasn’t always the case. Many of the buildings that now house thriving businesses and attractive residences also carry significant historical value. While we now celebrate them as symbols of the events that shaped our city, there was a time when these structures faced the threat of demolition.
In 1974, the Bijou Theatre was threatened by demolition and neglect. Originally constructed in 1909 as an addition to the historic Lamar House built in 1815, the venue had a storied past. Over the years it served as a hotel, Civil War hospital, and Gilded Age ballroom, welcoming notable figures, including Presidents Andrew Jackson in 1819 and Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877. Following the theatre’s addition, the structure also became a stage for the Marx Brothers, Harry Houdini, Dizzy Gillespie, and many other legendary entertainers.
Despite its undeniable historic significance, however, the Bijou had fallen into decline. Knoxville’s downtown began to deteriorate in the 1960s; years of neglect, along with mounting unpaid rent and taxes, left the theater on the brink of demolition, the wrecking ball threatening to erase a cherished piece of the city’s heritage.
Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of concerned citizens, a potentially tragic fate was averted. After a decade of sweeping social change, the 1970s witnessed the rise of the preservation movement across America—and Knoxville was no exception. On April 1, 1974, local architects, historians, business leaders, and other passionate community members came together to form Knoxville Heritage, a grassroots organization committed to safeguarding the historic and culturally significant structures of Knox County.
Just in time, the group rallied the community to raise the funds needed to purchase the Bijou Theatre and save it for future generations to enjoy. In 1975, the Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the Bijou serves as a vibrant performing arts center, its restoration marking the beginning of downtown Knoxville’s revitalization into a sought-after place to live, work, and visit.