Van Croix Theater

1111 E. New Haven Avenue,
Melbourne, FL 32901

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Chuck1231
Chuck1231 on January 8, 2012 at 12:42 am

The 1111 E. New Haven Ave. would have put the theatre right at US 1 and E. New Haven. I found that address in several wiki pages. The Bank that Joe mentioned was loacted at 1109 E. New Haven Ave.

jhuss1256
jhuss1256 on January 7, 2012 at 6:31 am

The Van Croix Theater was on US 1 in old downtown on US 1 in Melbourne, Fl. 32902. It originally opened in 1925; this was the only theater in Melbourne until the early 1960’s (1 screen, 747 seats). I remember seeing Disney’s “Snow White” “Puss-n-Boot, “Flipper” and many more here as a child. I saw my first R rated movie with my dad “C.C. and Company” with Joe Namath and Ann Margret. It was owned by the Van Croix family. Loved the balcony and the old style marquee street side and the simplicity of the snack bar and whole theater! It was demolished in December 1974.

jhuss1256
jhuss1256 on January 7, 2012 at 6:22 am

The address that Chuck1231 is way off. The Van Croix Theatre was located on US 1 next to the Melbourne Hotel that was located on the corner of New Haven Ave. and US 1. The Bank of Melbourene was located south of the Melbourne Hotel on New Haven. Huggins Hardware was west of the Melbourne Hotel behind the theatre. All of this was located east of the RR tracks!

Chuck1231
Chuck1231 on February 2, 2010 at 10:44 pm

Prior to Kent Thatres this was operated by Talgar Theatres.
The address for the former Van Croix Theatre was
1111 E. New Haven Ave.
Melbourne, Fl. 32902

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 27, 2009 at 9:51 pm

The December 16, 1974, issue of Boxoffice Magazine said that the Van Croix Theatre was being demolished to make way for a parking lot to serve Flagship Bank of Melbourne. It also said that the theater had been opened in 1925.

lostmemory
lostmemory on November 16, 2008 at 12:03 pm

That’s good to know.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 16, 2008 at 10:15 am

In 1963 the Van Croix was part of Kent Theaters, headquartered in Vero Beach. President was Fred Kent.

Kimball
Kimball on June 27, 2007 at 2:01 pm

Thanks, Tolover. It’s good to know the organ is still in one piece and being used.

jrhine
jrhine on June 21, 2007 at 6:15 pm

WurliTzer Opus 958
STATUS INST LOCATION CITY STATE COUNTRY
SD A VAN CROIX TH MELBOURNE FL USA
SD B COCOA BEACH FL USA
SD C ARTHUR STOPES BRADENTON FL USA
OK D CHURCH BRADENTON FL USA

Kimball
Kimball on May 5, 2007 at 6:48 am

Thanks for that at least. I haven’t been able to locate any further information on this instrument. I suspect it may have met the fate of many other theatre organs, most likely parted out.

Thanks for the response.

lostmemory
lostmemory on May 4, 2007 at 9:45 am

According to a theater organ list, the Van Croix Theater in Melbourne, FL had a Wurlitzer opus 958, style “D” organ installed on 12/2/1924. Status of organ: Sold. I don’t know who purchased the organ.

Kimball
Kimball on May 4, 2007 at 8:48 am

Does anyone know what ever happened to the Wurlitzer pipe organ that was once in this theatre? I’m trying to compile a history of theatre organs in Florida and I’m looking for information on the pipe organ in this particular theatre.

I believe the organ was an eight-rank instrument.

Also, if someone could provide me with the location where this theatre was located, that would help me greatly.