Main Street / Mayor J. David Crute / EACO Theatre

Main Street, also, Mayor J. David Crute, also, EACO Theatre. Historic Farmville. , Main Street , Once named Bizarre in 1736, Farmville was established as a town in 1798. From the town's formation, tobacco was a major factor in its prosperity. The numerous warehouses along the Main Street corridor represent Farmville's role as an important trade center. Its proximity to the Appomattox River proved invaluable for trade., In 1834 there were mercantile houses, a Presbyterian and a Methodist church, two taverns, a printing office, blacksmith shops, a tailor, a boot and shoe factory, confectioners, cabinetmakers, physicians, and other tradesmen working on Main Street. Tobacco, manufacturing companies, and lumber companies have all become the fabric of Farmville's rich history., Farmers Bank of Virginia was established in 1837. Just one hundred years later in the 1940's, statements showed combined resources of First National Bank, People's National Bank, and Planters Bank and Trust Company to be over 9 million dollars. In the 1960's, Farmville became the home of Green Front Furniture which maintains the integrity and pride of Maine Street., The Randolph House, above, stood at the corner of Main and Second Streets and served as the Headquarters for Union General Grant just two days before the Appomattox surrender. It was renovated in 1907 and renamed the Hotel Prince Edward., Mayor J. David Crute ,

"Dave's legacy to Farmville was his untiring dedication and love of this community." , Gerald J. Spates, Town Manager

, Mayor Crute was appointed to the office on November 14, 1972 and served as the Mayor of Farmville until June 30, 1998. , He attended Hampden-Sydney College until he served in the Merchant Marines during World War II from 1942-1945. In Farmville, he owned Crute's Office Supply for thirty nine years., Mayor Crute's public service included two terms on the Executive Council of the Virginia Municipal League, Magistrate for Prince Edward County, and service on the Planning Commission prior to his Mayoral appointment., With his wife Jane, Mayor Crute had four children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Farmville Lions Club and the Farmville United Methodist Church., Mayor Crute was a dedicated public servant and a proud community leader whose devotion to the Town of Farmville will be appreciated for generations., Eaco Theatre , Old Opera House - MUSU , As a center for recreation and leisure, Farmville's first municipally owned building was its "Opera House". It was contracted to be built on September 9, 1885 by Mssrs. Burton and Davis at a cost of $4,000. Traveling road shows and opera companies provided seasonal entertainment. Political rallies and public meetings were also held there. The building survives to this day and continues to serve as an office space. The Opera House later became unsuitable for motion pictures., EACO Theatre , On this site once stood the EACO Theatre. In 1921, Dr. L.D. Whitaker organized the Educational Amusement Company for the purpose of constructing a modern theatre. A capital stock of $40,000 was subscribed to by about 100 local citizens and the EACO Theatre was soon completed on the corner of Main and Fourth Street. In 1940, the Richmond based firm Neighborhood Theatres Inc., purchased the EACO Theatre and renamed it the State Theatre. The last organization to use the building was Farmville's Theatre Group "The Waterworks Players"; this group continues to perform in the Town of Farmville. The theatre collapsed unexpectedly on February 11, 1994, thus ending a 72-year old landmark for entertainment in Farmville.