Athens Theatre
124 N. Florida Avenue,
DeLand,
FL
32720
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
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jul 2, 2010 — Fourteen-screen megaplex opens in Palm Coast, FL
“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
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Recent comments (view all 37 comments)
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.
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?
The status of the Athens should be changed to open.
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.
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.
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.
Here is a picture from 1943.
Amazing that the area can support a single screen theatre of this size.
They are showing live theatre. My mother in law volunteers as an usher.
Closed by ABC Florida State on June 19th, 1975. Article posted.