Wow. Sad, breaks my heart. I have often pondered the fate of many theatres. Our local theatre building saw a video store spring up next door about the time it closed its doors in 1967. The City of Port St. Joe reportedly at one time considered demolishing the Port Theatre, due to lack of use (It was called a white elephant!) but they were concerned about damaging nearby buildings (the Port Theatre is about 40' high). Thankfully, it is now in use, though not as a theatre (YET).
I commend you for your diligence to keep shooting the photos. Must have been painful!
I know a man who was a projectionist in the Port Theatre in Port St. Joe, Florida in the 1940’s. He is still living in Port St. Joe. He worked here during his high school years. He is very interesting to talk with. The News Herald (Panama City, Florida) did an article on him and his experiences last June when the Port Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. I don’t believe Tom can go online, or has access to the internet, but I think he would be happy to share information with you if you would like. Email me at with information that I can pass on to him in person. He attends our weekly Friday night auction in the old Port Theatre.
Wow. Sad, breaks my heart. I have often pondered the fate of many theatres. Our local theatre building saw a video store spring up next door about the time it closed its doors in 1967. The City of Port St. Joe reportedly at one time considered demolishing the Port Theatre, due to lack of use (It was called a white elephant!) but they were concerned about damaging nearby buildings (the Port Theatre is about 40' high). Thankfully, it is now in use, though not as a theatre (YET).
I commend you for your diligence to keep shooting the photos. Must have been painful!
I know a man who was a projectionist in the Port Theatre in Port St. Joe, Florida in the 1940’s. He is still living in Port St. Joe. He worked here during his high school years. He is very interesting to talk with. The News Herald (Panama City, Florida) did an article on him and his experiences last June when the Port Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. I don’t believe Tom can go online, or has access to the internet, but I think he would be happy to share information with you if you would like. Email me at with information that I can pass on to him in person. He attends our weekly Friday night auction in the old Port Theatre.