Ocala in Marion County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Marion Theatre

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

1. Marion Theatre Marker

Historic Commercial Structures and the Downtown Districts
Ocala website entry
Click for more information.

Inscription.
This theatre opened in September 1941, and was Ocala’s first air-conditioned building. A movie cost 39 cents, and originally seated 900 patrons. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected by Historic Ocala Preservation Society, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1941.

Location. 29° 11.144′ N, 82° 8.224′ W. Marker is in Ocala, Florida, in Marion County. Marker is on South Magnolia Avenue just north of West Fort King Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted at ankle-level on a panel at the left side of the theater lobby entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 South Magnolia Avenue, Ocala FL 34471, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gary Block Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Hall Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Marion Block (about 300 feet away); The Old Courthouse Square (about 400 feet away); Agnew-Gary Block (about 400 feet

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away); Gazebo (about 400 feet away); Ocala Demands (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ocala.

Regarding Marion Theatre. Contributing property, Ocala Historic Commercial District, National Register of Historic Places #99000656.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Historic Ocala Preservation Society Downtown Mobile Device Tour

Also see . . . The Marion Theatre. Florida Memory website entry:
(1941 photograph)

Constructed in 1941, donated to the city in 1986. In 1989, the city and the Junior League of Ocala began working to develop the Marion Theatre as a "hands-on" children's science center.

(Submitted on January 5, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marion Theatre Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

2. Marion Theatre Marker

Historical Marion Theatre Panel<br>(<i>directly above marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

3. Historical Marion Theatre Panel
(directly above marker)

A beautiful Streamline Moderne structure opened on September 11, 1941.
It had a seating capacity for 902.
The Marion Theatre closed in the mid-1970’s as a movie theatre and stood empty for 13 years. The exterior is in its original state. The interior has been restored to a nostalgic 1940’s style and feel.

Marion Theatre Lobby Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

4. Marion Theatre Lobby Entrance

(marker visible just beyond far-left door)

Marion Theatre Marquee image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

5. Marion Theatre Marquee

Marion Theatre (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

6. Marion Theatre (southeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on December 8, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 5, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.