Athens Theatre

124 N. Florida Avenue,
DeLand, FL 32720

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Related Websites

Athens Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: ABC Florida State Theatres

Architects: Murray S. King

Firms: Kemp, Bunch & Jackson

Functions: Live Performances, Movies (Classic), Movies (Independent)

Styles: Art Deco

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 386.736.7475

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News About This Theater

Athens Theatre, DeLand (1947)

“I am not well acquainted with the Athens Theatre in DeLand, Florida. I have driven by it many times, but have not been inside. I do know that restoration efforts are going on, and shows take place there from time to time”.

The theater was built around 1922 and the name relates to DeLand’s founders' dreams of having their small city be the "Athens of the South." (DeLand, county seat of Volusia County, Florida, is home to Stetson University and is about 20 miles west of Daytona Beach). It was closed by ABC Florida State Theatres on June 19, 1975.

The Athens Theatre was renovated in 2008, and reopened in early-2009. It was

Contributed by Tom Brown

Recent comments (view all 37 comments)

jtrapp
jtrapp on January 29, 2009 at 7:34 pm

The Athens seems to be alive and well. Just picked up a flyer for events in Jan 09 and they are showing classic movies and hosting events. I live in the area and I’m going to try and check out a classic flick. Downtown Deland is a happening little place. Nice restaurants and bars. Apparently it used to be quite run down in the early 90’s so it’s nice to see come to life.

Patsy
Patsy on January 29, 2009 at 9:23 pm

rdsub: Nice to read that downtown DeLand is a happening little place nice with nice restaurants and bars now! I see you typed Deland and I have recently seen it typed as DeLand. Which is politically correct?

irvl
irvl on June 20, 2009 at 12:49 pm

The status of the Athens should be changed to open.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 15, 2009 at 2:35 am

The June 7, 1952, issue of Boxoffice devoted its Modern Theatre section to articles about remodeling, and one of the theaters featured was the Athens. The article said that the architects for the remodeling were Kemp, Bunch & Jackson, and that the new configuration of the auditorium provided space for 812 seats.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on April 19, 2010 at 12:04 pm

My friend Donna who lives in nearby Deltona told me she saw Cosi Fan Tutti here recently. Of course I only wanted to know about the theater (I already know about Mozart…), and here it is! I love finding restored gems like this one.

sbeasley
sbeasley on October 26, 2010 at 9:26 pm

During the ‘50s and '60s, the Athens was owned by longtime DeLand resident Bill Tison, who also owned Bill Tison Auto Sales to the left of the cinema.

robboehm
robboehm on December 19, 2012 at 10:40 am

Amazing that the area can support a single screen theatre of this size.

remkoolhaas
remkoolhaas on March 20, 2018 at 9:19 pm

They are showing live theatre. My mother in law volunteers as an usher.

rivest266
rivest266 on May 17, 2024 at 5:05 pm

Closed by ABC Florida State on June 19th, 1975. Article posted.

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