In 1912 Alexander Fortunas, an enterprising ex-sponge diver, had a theatre built and called it the "Dixie".  Opening in April of 1913, he imported traveling theatre troupes and presented attractions featuring local talent.  In 1915, with the advent of motion pictures, the Dixie Theatre was converted to a motion picture house.  It became the entertainment center for Franklin County.  It remained so until 1967, when it was closed and shuttered.

In 1994 the Theatre remains were purchased from the City of Apalachicola by the Partington Family and a major  restoration began.

In 1998 the DIXIE opened with "Sylvia" & "Driving Miss Daisy". It is now one of only a few family owned & operated Professional Theatres in America.

 In June of 2004, the Dixie Theatre began showing Movies for the 1st time in 37 years, opening with SHREK II.  Rex Partington, one of the last great gentlemen of the Theatre and Co-founder of the DIXIE, died in March 2006...but left the Dixie Theatre as his legacy. 

The DIXIE is located in the heart of historic downtown Apalachicola, a quaint fishing village reminiscent of old Florida, just down the street from the Apalachicola Grill, home to the world's largest fried fish sandwich.  Apalachicola, the Oyster capital of the world, sits at the mouth of the Apalachicola River and just across the Apalachicola Bay from St. George Island, one of the most uncrowded, beautiful beaches in America.  

Plan your next visit to Paradise, come to the beach, fish, eat and see the best in live professional theatre at the DIXIE, Where Quality is Paramount.

The Dixie Theatre Foundation, Inc. is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization & 2008 marks their 11th Year of Live Professional Theatre.