Martin Walker law firm displays historic Arcadia sign at new office building

Published 3:45 pm Friday, October 11, 2024

As the sun rose Friday morning over a transforming downtown, the nostalgic glow of the Arcadia Theater’s sign found a new home at the Martin Walker law firm, bridging the past and present amid the echoes of reconstruction and revitalization.

“We’re excited to have the Arcadia sign up on our building because we received eminent domain from the county for the Arcadia Theater, which was located behind the courthouse where we practiced law for 10 years,” said attorney Reid Martin.

The Arcadia Theater opened in 1925 at 121 N. Spring St. and hosted Tyler’s very first talking motion picture in 1929. With 585 seats, a small lobby, and a balcony, the theater captivated audiences until its closure in 1992, following a brief stint as a coffee shop from 2005 to 2007.

In February 2013, the law firm acquired the historic Arcadia building and completed renovations within a year. After a decade of operation there, they expanded their footprint by purchasing and renovating the Buck Files and Taqueria buildings in the downtown square, creating a cohesive, larger space.

“We’re grateful to Jerry Bain and Buck Files for selling us their building,” Martin said. “They practiced law here for over 50 years and passed the baton to us.”

The former space was demolished in August to make room for the new county courthouse, which is a bond project approved by voters in November 2022.

The attorneys wanted to help the theater’s history live on with physical aspects such as the iconic sign.

Inside the newly renovated office, various artifacts from the theater, including original seats and a projector, enrich the space. A repurposed film canister serves as the base of a lamp, a testament to the firm’s commitment to preserving the theater’s legacy.

“We wanted to bring as much of the Arcadia Theater with us and maintain Tyler’s skyline for all its citizens,” Martin said. “We’re really proud of it, and happy that the sign is finally up.”

In their conference room, a still from “To Kill a Mockingbird” captures a courtroom scene featuring Atticus Finch, who Martin finds an inspiring figure in the practice. “Atticus Finch is pretty much our hero around here,” he remarked.

The original sign, over 100 years old, was originally neon. Transitioning to LED posed a challenge in maintaining its historic look.

“Neon is a lost art… We knew we might have to go as far as Dallas for the repairs, but we were determined to preserve the history for our city’s skyline,” Martin explained.

Due to displaying more than one sign on their building, the law firm had to apply for permits.

“Because this was a historical landmark, the city allowed us to do that,” Martin said. “We thank them for their support.”

Martin and his law firm partner, Jack Walker, are both graduates of Robert E. Lee High School in the 1980s and went on to the University of Texas. Established in 2006, Martin Walker Law, with attorney Marisa Allen, specializes in medical malpractice, wrongful death, auto accidents, personal injury, product liability, and more.

“We handle all kinds of cases for people, and if they need a lawyer, we encourage them to call us. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll help them find the best lawyer for their needs,” Martin said.

With a vision of progress intertwined with tradition, he concluded, “We’re excited about the beautiful new courthouse and the revitalization of the square. As trial lawyers, we want to be part of the future of Tyler, providing essential legal services to the East Texas community.”