DeLand in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Athens Theatre
1922
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
1. The Athens Theatre Marker
Inscription.
The Athens Theatre. This historically significant landmark opened in 1922 as a silent film/vaudeville theatre. Once the entertainment centerpiece of the county, the Athens operated continuously for nearly seventy years, changing its programming over time as technology advanced. The theatre was developed by L.M. Patterson, a native of Washington, D.C., who moved to DeLand in 1920 and organized the DeLand Moving Picture Company. Designed by Murray S. King, a prominent Orlando Architect, the theatre was completed in 1921. Music and sound effects were performed on a large Wurlitzer organ. The opening night performance on January 6, 1922 featured the 7-reel silent film, "The Black Panther's Cub," a 4-act comic play, and four vaudeville acts.
This historically significant landmark opened in 1922 as a silent film/vaudeville theatre. Once the entertainment centerpiece of the county, the Athens operated continuously for nearly seventy years, changing its programming over time as technology advanced. The theatre was developed by L.M. Patterson, a native of Washington, D.C., who moved to DeLand in 1920 and organized the DeLand Moving Picture Company. Designed by Murray S. King, a prominent Orlando Architect, the theatre was completed in 1921. Music and sound effects were performed on a large Wurlitzer organ. The opening night performance on January 6, 1922 featured the 7-reel silent film, "The Black Panther's Cub," a 4-act comic play, and four vaudeville acts.
Location. 29° 1.739′ N, 81° 18.328′ W. Marker is in DeLand, Florida, in Volusia County. Marker is at the intersection of North Florida Avenue and West Indiana Avenue on North Florida Avenue. The marker is mounted on the front of the
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building, to the right when facing the box office window. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 North Florida Avenue, Deland FL 32720, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding The Athens Theatre. The Athens Theatre's name was derived from the vision of Henry DeLand, who sought to create DeLand as a city that would be the “Athens of Florida”.
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
2. The Athens Theatre Marker
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
3. The Athens Theatre
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
4. The Athens Theatre
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
5. The Athens Theatre Marker
This plaque appears on the side of the building.
This project was funded in part by the County of Volusia ECHO Grant Program, approved by its citizens November 2001 to support environmental, cultural, historical, and outdoor recreation projects.
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
6. The Athens Theatre
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 771 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 15, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.