Jacksonville's surviving historic theatres

[thelakelander]

The Jaxson Magazine takes a look into the history of Jacksonville's nine oldest surviving theatres.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/jacksonvilles-surviving-historic-theatres/

[acme54321]

I had no idea that the Fairfax building was originally a theatre.  I'd like to see an old picture of that before it was renovated into what it is now.  Maybe there is something of value left under that stucco mess.

Also didn't know there was a theatre in the Clara White building but that's easier to see now than the Fairfax example.

Edit:  Did some more research on the Fairfax.  Pictures below of the original facade and the same view now.

[jaxlongtimer]

How old is the Cedar Hills theater?  Don't forget the Friday Musciale (looks like it has been a theater since 1929 but building is older:  https://fridaymusicale.com/history/#1613397554387-019d733d-ec4d ) and the Armory.

Other movie theraters now gone include the Center, St. Johns, Edgewood, Philips Mall and Regency theaters plus the Playtime Drive-In and University Drive-In at University & Philips Highway (and the source of a precedent setting US Supreme Court ruling regarding what is pornographic since the movie screen was partially visible on University Blvd ).

Long forgotten, but there used to be at least one movie theater in Mandarin in the 1990's (became the Staples store which recently closed).  I recall one off of Beach or Atlantic, near the Beaches, in my childhood too.  Of course, many others around the burbs have come and gone.

[jaxlongtimer]

The Brentwood theater that is now a library won't be for much longer per the Mayor's proposed budget:

Nearly $8.2 million to replace the branch library off Pearl Street in northwest Jacksonville. The new library would be in the same area and take the place of the current building that opened in the 1930s as a movie cinema before being converted to a library in 1961.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/government/2022/07/24/most-expensive-capital-improvement-projects-mayor-curry-wants-jacksonville-parks-libraries/10109644002/