09/01/2026
Long before streaming and multiplexes, Key West’s Strand Theater brought the magic of Hollywood to the Florida Keys. Opening by 1921 at 527 Duval Street, it became the first purpose-built movie theater in the Keys, captivating audiences with its striking Art Deco design, grand lobby, and glowing marquee. For decades, it was the island’s premier entertainment destination before later becoming a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in 1993. Although the theater closed in 2002 and the building now houses a Walgreens, its historic façade, iconic marquee, and original tile floors remain preserved as a tribute to the Keys’ cinematic past.