A boiler explosion, children’s toys, and doughnuts seem to have little in common—that is, unless you happen to be familiar with the haunting of Albuquerque’s KiMo Theater. For decades now, theater employees, performers, and patrons have reported sightings of a child ghost lurking in the Art Deco-building. His story is simultaneously tragic and light-hearted.
It only seems appropriate that a downtown theater built in 1927 has a ghost - and this one just happens to be a mischievous one.
Alex Kolkena/Google Forever six years old, Bobby has haunted the KiMo for decades. You just might encounter his ghost during a visit.
On a Thursday afternoon in August 1951, Bobby Darnall and two friends were attending a movie showing at the theater.
Jeff Wood/Google Sitting in the balcony, a sound from the movie scared the six-year-old and Bobby went running for the stairs. Moments later, the water heater located underneath the staircase exploded, killing the boy and injuring seven other people in the lobby.
The tragic event has been mostly forgotten over the decades, but its victim lingers.
Aaron Harrington/Google Clad in jeans and a striped shirt, some people have reported seeing Bobby on the balcony or playing near the same staircase he died. More frequently, however, he is the suspect of mishaps during performances. Light bulbs suddenly going out, cast tripping or forgetting their lines, and other playful antics are often blamed on Bobby’s ghost.
Because of this, a shrine to Bobby was established in the back of the theater.
BRad06/Wikimedia Commons Children’s toys, books, trinkets, and even sweets are left here to appease his spirit before performances. The offerings seem to have worked so far!
Skeptics, however, dismiss the oddities as either mere coincidence or have never occurred at all.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr The tale “A Christmas Carol” performance gone wrong in the 1970s (or 1980s, depending on the story’s source) that led to the shrine, is said to have never actually happened. Either way, Bobby’s story lives on.
The KiMo Theater is located in downtown Albuquerque along Central Avenue.
Google Maps
For details about upcoming shows and tours, visit the theater’s website or Facebook page.
Alex Kolkena/Google
Forever six years old, Bobby has haunted the KiMo for decades. You just might encounter his ghost during a visit.
Jeff Wood/Google
Sitting in the balcony, a sound from the movie scared the six-year-old and Bobby went running for the stairs. Moments later, the water heater located underneath the staircase exploded, killing the boy and injuring seven other people in the lobby.
Aaron Harrington/Google
Clad in jeans and a striped shirt, some people have reported seeing Bobby on the balcony or playing near the same staircase he died. More frequently, however, he is the suspect of mishaps during performances. Light bulbs suddenly going out, cast tripping or forgetting their lines, and other playful antics are often blamed on Bobby’s ghost.
BRad06/Wikimedia Commons
Children’s toys, books, trinkets, and even sweets are left here to appease his spirit before performances. The offerings seem to have worked so far!
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
The tale “A Christmas Carol” performance gone wrong in the 1970s (or 1980s, depending on the story’s source) that led to the shrine, is said to have never actually happened. Either way, Bobby’s story lives on.
Google Maps
Address: 423 Central Avenue Northwest, Albuquerque, NM 87102 Phone: 505-768-3522 Website: KiMo Theatre Facebook: KiMo Theatre
Not all ghosts are as playful as Bobby. Sequestered in a locked room of the St. James Hotel in Cimarron is the hostile spirit, T.J. Wright. Read the story about Wright and his antics in There’s A Ghost Named TJ Who Occupies A Room At This Haunted New Mexico Hotel.
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Address: Kimo Theatre, 423 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
