Today completes the article series on the notable Live Oak hangout, the Alimar Theatre.

The Alimar received major competition in 1936, when the Suwannee Theatre was opened by Johnnie and Ford Kalil a block away on the west side of Ohio Avenue. This theater, in service for several decades itself under a variety of owners, gave the citizens of Suwannee County additional options for movies and other performances. The Alimar, Suwannee Theatre, and other local movie theaters (eventually including drive-ins) were a source of employment and hangouts for area youth. By 1950, the Alimar was listed in the Film Daily Year Book as having room for 700 patrons, far more than the Suwannee Theatre’s seating capacity of 300.

On Dec. 29, 1970, a crowd showed up at the Alimar to watch the “world premiere” of the movie “Zaat,” filmed in North Florida. Actor Wade Popwell, who played the monster in the movie, was present in character to welcome the throng of moviegoers. Unfortunately, the low-budget film was a flop and is generally included in lists of the worst movies of all time.

In the late 1970s, a second movie screen was installed at the Alimar to allow more variety in its shows. However, patrons did not get to enjoy this benefit for long, as the historic theater burned down in or about 1979, taking with it the adjoining Dixie Grill. A note from one of the firefighters who attended the blaze stated that nine firefighters, eight volunteers and the fire chief were all required to put out the fire. Three pumper trucks were used (a 1956 Ford, a 1969 Ford, and a 1978 Ford), using nearly half a mile of hose and about 300,000 gallons of water. Ironically, one of the movies playing at the time of the fire was “Smokey and the Bandit!” (the other movie was “Crimebusters”).

Although most of the shell of the Alimar survived the fire, it was deemed too badly damaged to be economically repaired. Seeing the same fate as many other prominent buildings in Live Oak and Suwannee County, the building was torn down. The historic theater was replaced by a parking lot that honors its history by being named Alimar Court.

Join me next week.

Eric Musgrove can be reached at ericm@suwgov.org or 386-362-0564.