Dreka Theatre
112 East New York Avenue,
DeLand,
FL
32724
112 East New York Avenue,
DeLand,
FL
32724
1 person
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Built and opened in the 1920’s as the New Dreka Theatre, it was named after George Augustus Dreka who had opened a department store in the town.
It was being operated in the 1940’s by E.J. Sparks as a subsidairy of Paramount Pictures Inc. together with DeLand’s other movie theatre, the Athens.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
From a walking tour website:
Site of Dreka Theater
South side of New York Ave., between South Alabama Ave. and Woodland Blvd.
“A company headed by Walter Geissinger built the Dreka Theater here in 1920-21. In about 1923, it was leased to the Sparks organization, a statewide theater chain”.
Not only does that narrow down the location, but I would assume that the building is still there since its part of the walking tour.
September 17, 1928 – Dreka Theater – Francis X. Bushman in Grip of the Yukon “When the God, Gold beckons men & women.” You must see it today!
Mapquest puts this location as E. New York Avenue. I would say that if a tour is looking at a ‘site of’, that to me means ‘stood here’ and is not here any longer. I would presume the Dreka Theatre has been demolished.
During rides through DeLand when I was a child during the 1940s and 50s, I would always glance down the street (from US 17) to see the Dreka. It had a marquee made of glass; the only one I’ve ever seen. It appeared to be a secondary theatre (to the Athens).
The Dreka Theater closed in 1957. Its last movie was an Audie Murphy film, “To Hell and Back.” In the 30s and 40s generations both old and young attended the double-feature Saturday matinees which always included a cowboy movie, a mystery or comedy, at least 2 cartoons, and a weekly serial such as “Flash Gordon.” Tickets for kids under the age of 12 was 9 cents. After it closed, the stage was filled in and the building renovated. Today it houses the Orange Belt Pharmacy.
The address is 112 E. New York Avenue. The pharmacy was recently bought by the Walgreens chain.
Any photos would be great to see. Irv told me that the marquee was made of glass which is quite unusual. Too bad that wasn’t saved!
This was posted by TC on the Athens Theater listing. The Deka is photo number two. Photo number six is a view of the Deka interior. Thanks to Irv Lipscomb for bringing this to my attention.
Lost: Great site…thanks….again to our number one CT member!
This is a recent photo of the pharmacy located in the former Dreka Theatre. The photo is courtesy of Irv Lipscomb.