Winter Haven in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ritz Theater
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025
1. Ritz Theater Marker
At this site on January 19. 1925, F.E. Williamson opened the Williamson Theater. Landowners W.H. Mann and A.S. Beymer hired Tampa architect B.C. Bonfoey and Seymour-Craig Co. of Winter Haven to build the theater.
Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival Style, the theater featured 1.000 opera chairs upholstered with imitation Spanish leather, an orchestra pit, a Robert-Morgan pipe organ, a 16x40-foot stage and a 15 x 20-foot screen. A silent film by D.W. Griffith. "Isn't Life Wonderful" was the first movie shown.
In 1932, the theater was renovated. renamed the "Ritz," and reopened on January 19 with speeches, vaudeville acts and a feature picture. For decades, the Ritz served as a meeting venue for the Central Florida citrus industry, where many Orange Festival queens were crowned, and as the stage for community events.
A Polk County Heritage Site
Erected 2023 by Historic Ritz Theater, in honor of Howell B. Reddick Sr. and Harold 'Keith' Smith The Polk County Historical Commission. (Marker Number PCHC-32.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is January 19, 1925.
Location. 28° 1.33′ N, 81°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 1940 Publix Super Market (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Publix Store 1930 (about 400 feet away); Gram Parsons Derry Down (approx. Ό mile away); Winter Haven War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Historic Pughsville Neighborhood (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Historic Pughsville Neighborhood (approx. 1.2 miles away); First Missionary Baptist Church of Winter Haven (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winter Haven.
Also see . . . Theater Winter Haven. (Submitted on December 19, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025
2. Ritz Theater Marker
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025
3. Ritz Theater sign
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025
4. Ritz Theater lobby
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025
5. Ritz Theater and surrounding stores photos in nearby window
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
