DAN SANBORN PHOTO COLLECTION

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Title:  Polk Theatre

Description:   The Polk Theatre was built in 1927, but its opening was 
                      delayed for more than a year when the Florida land boom 
                      collapsed.  It is an "atmospheric" theater, with a ceiling of 
                      clouds and twinkling stars and an interior designed to 
                      replicate an Italian villa and courtyard from the Renaissance
                      period.  It has been host to both and films and live 
                      performances over its long life, including a 1956 concert by 
                      Elvis Presley.

                      The Polk fell on hard times and was nearly demolished in the
                      early 1980's before it was purchased by the non-profit Polk 
                      County Landmarks, Inc. in 1984.  It has been painstakingly 
                      restored in the years since.  The Polk Theatre is listed on the 
                      National Register of Historic Places and once again serves as 
                      a cultural center for Lakeland.  

Date:   1939

Photographer:  Dan Sanborn

Subjects:   Architecture--Buildings--Schools
                 Lakeland, FL--Buildings--Theaters
                 Lakeland, FL--Polk Theatre

Collection:  Dan Sanborn Photo Collection, P720, p0493

Format:  The master image is a 400ppi. tiff file.

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