Charles E. Walker commissioned the construction of a US$250,000 movie theater on the site of the former Princess Theatre,[1] a venue he operated from 1914 until 1923 when he moved it to 4th Street.

Two construction crews finished pouring concrete in early November 1923 and a third shift was added for the beginning of the building's steelwork with the expectation that the facility would be ready to open on Christmas Eve.

[4] Due to construction delays, Walker pushed back the grand opening of the theater from New Year's Eve and it ultimately premiered on January 29, 1924.

A showing of the silent film The Man from Brodney's served as the feature for the venue's opening with members of the cast, including J. Warren Kerrigan, Alice Calhoun, and Wanda Hawley, in attendance.

[5] In September 1925, the Fox West Coast Theatres chain acquired the New Walker and its namesake was retained as resident manager of the venue.