The Wilma

History

The Wilma, at 131 S. Higgins Avenue, opened in 1921. William “Billy” Simons built the eight-story theatre and named it for his wife, light-opera singer Edna Wilma; Ole Bakke and H. E. Kirkemo designed it, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic played the May 11, 1921 opening. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. A 2015 change of owners restored the house and installed a new sound system for concerts, film, and comedy.