The Athens theatre I passed for a few days while being a new resident to the Deland/Daytona area. When I seen this place during the day then one night it was all lit up I said to my sons this would be one of our first Florida Investigations. The theatre closed down in the early 90s and was built in in the 1920s so the building itself is quite historical. Before I was told that this theatre was haunted I already had my eyes on it. As a paranormal investigator this place to me was like hitting the lotto haha. It is just one of those type of things you cannot pass up. But many different ghost stories are told from various people who have visited this theatre.

Like most theatres this one is equally haunted by many different ghost. I have done 2 investigations in the month of March of the Theatre perhaps because everyday I go out for a walk I pass by it and can feel them just watching me from the windows. The ghost here are very friendly and playful but they do not trust easily I have developed a fairly good relationship with the entities here and perhaps down the road it will help us know who they are or why the Theatre is so haunted. Perhaps because the entities are upset because of the condition of the theatre or perhaps it is because it served for almost 70 years downtown Deland as a source of entertainment. I noticed that the ghost like to stay around the main entrance or where its really dark behind the theatre. Perhaps they are watching over it but from our investigations you will start to understand perhaps this from viewing the photos.

At one time it was a dinner theatre at another time a movie theatre. Honestly this country does not have many old theatres such as this one left most of them have either been torn down, abandoned however the Athens is almost fully restored and some nights if your lucky you can catch it all lit up giving it that 1950s type of feel. Below is a little history on the Athens in greater detail and you will find the site which talks about the future of this theatre, events and goals. If anybody has any ghost stories they wish to share on the Athens from its previous years I would be more then happy to add them here. As you know the show must go on and so do the restless here.

© By

Rick-AngelOfThyNight

Historical Information

By

http://www.athenstheatre.org/history.htm 

Located in downtown DeLand, Florida, the historic Athens Theatre was designed in 1921 by prominent Orlando architect, Murry S. King. The facility, built primarily by DeLand contractors, first opened its doors on January 6, 1922. The theater's name is derived from the vision of DeLand's founder, Henry DeLand, who sought to create a city that would be "the Athens of Florida."

Originally a vaudeville house, the Athens Theatre featured live stage shows by touring performers, as well as films of the day that were often accompanied by the theater's Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. The entertainment centerpiece of the city, the Athens continued to operate for almost 70 years, evolving into a movie house and, later, a dinner theater. After a renovation in the 1950's, the building deteriorated and eventually closed in the early 1990's.

During the Depression, "the Athens Theatre was the only entertainment people could afford," recounted DeLand historian Bill Dreggors. "The DeLand Amusement Corporation charged only nine cents (for children) because if it was a dime they'd have to pay the state entertainment tax," he said. Later, promotions with RC Cola allowed patrons to enter free with six RC bottle caps.

Over the years, the Athens has served many functions in the community. It was the social center for DeLandites in its early days. In the 1950's, movies and cartoons entertained young and old residents, with sack races down the aisles and talent shows on stage. Dozens remember it as the site of their first date, first kiss and even as the place to go for a midnight matinee after the high school prom.

In 1993, while the Athens Theatre was unoccupied and under bank ownership, the board of directors of MainStreet DeLand Association began efforts to purchase the theater, with the recognition that downtown revitalization efforts could never be completely successful if this important landmark remained boarded up and dilapidated. It was believed that the economic vitality of downtown DeLand would continue to improve with the completion of this project, by extending the hours of viability for downtown and by serving as an economic stimulus for new growth in the area.

MainStreet sought the help of two local investors, who purchased the theater from the bank, allowing MainStreet some time to accumulate the necessary funds to takeover and ultimately restore the building. In December 1994, with the help of a Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation Matching Grant, MainStreet purchased the Athens Theatre for the people of DeLand.

Since the inception of the Athens restoration project, individuals in the DeLand community, along with state and local governments, have pledged and contributed over $1 million toward the refurbishment of this "Grand Old Lady."

The exterior restoration, capped by the installation of a beautifully-lit marquee, was completed last fall and dedicated in a public ceremony in November 1997.

Late last year, MainStreet's board of directors saw the need for the Athens Theatre project to branch out on its own. In February 1998, Athens Theatre, Inc. was formed as a subsidiary corporation of MainStreet for the purpose of restoring and operating the theater. The corporation is currently managed by a 10-member volunteer board.

With the building's restoration, it is planned that the Athens will operate as a 1920's-style movie and vaudeville showcase and museum, presenting a wide array of programming to appeal to all elements of the community.