There is a building at 506 Fifth Street in Valrico that most people drive past without a second glance. It sits on a quiet grid of oak-lined streets just north of SR-60, in the part of town that most newcomers do not even know exists. Cats lounge on its front porch. The white brick walls are over a century old.

This is the James McCabe Theater, and it is the oldest standing commercial structure in Valrico.

Built with Valrico Brick

The building was constructed in 1915 as the Valrico Civic Center. The Valrico Improvement Association, led by W.F. Miller, raised $3,500 by subscription to build it as a gathering place for the growing community. The bricks used in its construction were made from local Valrico clay, the same material used to build a bank building the following year.

For decades, the civic center served as the heart of the community. By the mid-twentieth century, it had become home to a Women's Club. In the late 1970s, Hillsborough County repossessed the building, and the Village Players community theater group obtained permission to use it for productions.

In 1994, the property was officially deeded to the Village Players, and the building was designated a Hillsborough County Historic Landmark. After the sudden passing of James McCabe, one of the Village Players' founders and a former president, the building was renamed in his honor.

What Happens There Now

The Village Players put on at least five shows a year, featuring both adult and children's productions. The group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit teaching theater. Children who appear in Village Players productions pay nothing to participate and need no prior experience. The organization teaches acting, stage production, costuming, makeup, and set design.

The theater runs entirely on volunteer labor and community donations. There is no paid staff. Every performance, every rehearsal, every set build is done by people who show up because they care.

The Haunted Question

In 2012, the Village Players hosted a paranormal investigation as a fundraiser. Plant City Paranormal Research and Fire and ICE Paranormal brought equipment to the theater to investigate reports of unexplained activity. The event drew enough attention to make the local Patch news.

Whether the building is actually haunted is a matter of opinion. What is not debatable is that a structure built in 1915 with locally made brick, still standing and still in active use over a century later, carries a certain weight. The Village Players say the building requires constant attention and maintenance precisely because of its age. Fundraising for repairs is an ongoing effort.

How to Find It

The James McCabe Theater is at 506 Fifth Street in Valrico. From SR-60, take Valrico Road north and turn west just past the railroad tracks. Fifth Street is on your right. Follow the Village Players on Facebook for upcoming show dates, or visit thevillageplayersvalrico.com.

If you are new to Valrico, this is worth a visit. It is a reminder that this community has roots that go back more than a century, long before the subdivisions and strip malls arrived.

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Barrett Henry is a Broker Associate with RE/MAX Collective, helping families buy and sell in Valrico for over two decades. (813) 733-7907 | nowtb.com