Athens Theatre - Top Billing
by Chrystyne Novack
Title
Athens Theatre - Top Billing
Artist
Chrystyne Novack
Medium
Photograph
Description
The Athens Theatre is an example of a classic American theatre and is one of the few remaining theatres in the U.S. Once the centerpiece of DeLand Florida, the Athens Theatre is considered a jewel of Italian Renaissance architecture. This historic theatre was designed in 1921 by architect Murray S. King. The opening night performance on January 6th, 1922 included a movie, live theatre performance and several vaudeville acts. On January 5th, 1922, the eve of the theater's opening, the DeLand Daily News declared the Athens to be "Florida's Handsomest Theatre" and "a gem of architecture". The theatre's name was from the vision of DeLand's founder, Henry DeLand, who sought to create a city that would be named as the "Athens of Florida".
Once the entertainment centerpiece of West Volusia County, the showplace evolved through the decades from a vaudeville theater, to a movie house, a place for community theatre and prom parties, a dinner theater, a video game room, a restaurant, a pizza, beer and movie house, and a even teen night spot. Following a renovation in the 1950's, the building deteriorated and eventually closed in the early 1990's.
In 1993, recognizing the vital part played by The Athens Theatre in downtown DeLand's heritage, the MainStreet DeLand Association initiated the effort to get community leaders and residents to restore the theatre to its original splendor. In December of 1994, with the help of a Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation Matching Grant, MainStreet purchased the Athens Theatre. Ownership was transferred July, 2004 to Sands Theater Center, Inc.
Uploaded
June 11th, 2015
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