[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 136 (Friday, October 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE IMOGENE THEATER IN 
                            MILTON, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 4, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today to recognize the 
centennial anniversary of the Imogene Theater in Milton, Florida.
  Built by banker Stephen Harvey for $25,000, the Imogene is a 
Renaissance Revival style hall that was slated primarily to serve as a 
community center for the performing arts. Originally called the Milton 
Auditorium, the facility also hosted movies beginning with the silent 
film, ``The Passion Play.'' During this time, the Imogene remained a 
central part of the Milton community and served as a meeting place for 
Milton residents, even hosting speeches by presidential candidate 
William Jennings Bryan in 1916 and again in 1924 when he made campaign 
stops in Santa Rosa County.
  In 1921 the Milton Auditorium was sold to Clyde Gooch. To honor his 
daughter, he renamed the facility the Imogene Theater after her. In the 
1930's and 40's, the theater was a first-rate movie house, running the 
era's most popular films. In 1946, however, a new theater opened in 
town, and Imogene's prominent presence in the community began to fade.
  Other businesses occupied the theater until 1980, but in 1985, the 
Imogene was purchased for $30,000 by the Santa Rosa Historical Society, 
which dedicated great effort and time restoring the theater to her old 
glory. The facility reopened and began a new tenure as a hub for local 
arts and community events.
  Tragedy struck the historic landmark the evening of January 6, 2009 
when a fire broke out on the same block as the theater. The beloved 
facility was severely damaged by fires, smoke, and water. With the aid 
of determined community support, the Imogene was once again restored 
and continues to be an integral part of the Milton community today.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to 
celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the Imogene Theater. May she 
have many more years serving Northwest Florida.

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