Inverness in Citrus County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Valerie Theater
207 Courthouse Square
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 6, 2018
1. Valerie Theater Marker
Mrs. Pearl G. Maddox built the theatre in 1926-27 during the silent movie era, naming it the Valerie after her daughter. The first movie shown was “The Only Woman” in 1927; the last was “The Untouchables” in 1987. Herbert Pittman of Clearwater leased the theatre when “talking equipment” was installed. Prices were 10 cents for children and 25 cents for adults. At a time when other towns prohibited Sunday shows, City Council boldly adopted a resolution to permit Sunday movies, boosting trade in the City and making the Theatre a social focal point for many years. The theatre was gutted by fire in 1939 and rebuilt. In 1962, daily clips from the movie “Follow That Dream” were viewed with Elvis in attendance. The building remained vacant from 1987 until the City purchased it in 2009. With community involvement and detailed planning a grand reopening was held for the Valerie Theatre Cultural Center in June 2015.
Erected 2015 by City of Inverness, Florida.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 28° 50.182′ N, 82° 19.794′ W. Marker is in Inverness, Florida, in Citrus County. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Citrus County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Military Order of the Purple Heart (within shouting distance of this marker); 109 Courthouse Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Korea and Viet Nam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Persian Gulf War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Citrus County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dampier Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Inverness.
Also see . . .
1. Valerie Theatre. This small town theatre was built in 1925 in the little town of Inverness Florida. When completed, it cost $26,000 with velour curtains that cost $500 which was quite grand in the day. It was considered
2. Marker detail: Valerie Theater, circa late 1920s
2. History of the Valerie Theatre. At a time when other towns prohibited Sunday shows, City Council boldly adopted a resolution to permit Sunday movies, boosting trade in the City and making the Theatre a social focal point for many years. The theatre was gutted by fire in 1939 and rebuilt. In 1962, daily clips from the movie “Follow That Dream” were viewed with Elvis in attendance. (Submitted on May 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 6, 2018
3. Valerie Theater Plaque (mounted on wall, beside door, behind ticket booth)
Inverness, Florida
Re-dedicated to the people of Inverness, Florida
May 2015 A.D. by the Mayor and City Council
Jacquie Hepfer, President
David Ryan, Vice President
Linda Bega * Ken Hinkle * Cabot McBride
Bob Plaisted, Mayor
Frank DiGiovanni, City Manager
Deborah Davis, City Clerk
Marc Black, Project Manager
Clancy & Theys, General Contractor
Gator Sktch, Architect * Avatar Consultants
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 6, 2018
4. Valerie Theater (wide view; marker visible on wall, left of entrance)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
