State Theater

The State Theatre is located at 418 N. Main Street and it seated 659 people.

When I last talked to the people in charge of renovating. They informed me that it is going to take around $3.5 million dollars to do so, and right now until the money comes in they have put the renovating on hold. The marquee however is being used to announce up coming things going on in Garden City, Kansas.

I last went to this theatre in the late 1980's. I especially liked the large neon marquee. It was in good condition at that time. A combination of a new monsterplex in town as well as a lack of downtown parking, a concern for safety as well as a lack of promotion of the downtown area all contributed to the State's demise. The owners attempted to make the State an all Disney theatre but had little luck with the venture. Since I visit this area often, I've monitored the progress of the State and have pictures to post asap. It seems Garden City may lack the interest in vintage theaters other nearby Kansas and Colorado towns such as Syracuse and Holly enjoy. I hope the State will rise again!

A photo of the State Theater.
http://www.reeldiaries.com/moviehouse/photos/state_gardencityks.jpg

Here is a 2007 photo of the State Theater.

A Marr & Colton theater organ size 2/3 was installed in the State Theater in 1929.

I am the new Arts Director for the Garden City Recreation Commission and along with the Downtown Vision Committee and the City, we are trying to bring the State Theater back to life. I am excited to be a part of the project.

If anyone has information about the Theater's history, or pictures of it in its glory days, I would love to hear/see/have it. I look forward to working toward the revitalization of the State, but I know its going to take more than a couple agencies to make it happen. It's going to take the community's support , time, and money to make it happen. I am excited to be a new part of this community and believe can can have the State operational in no time.

Hello BSeagraves. I have a nice photo of the State from around 1989.
I will email you a copy if you like and will also post it on my flickr site in the near future.

If you want to keep your email address private, you may contact me at
vanishingtheaters@gmail.com

Don..

Anyone who wishes to email me, feel free: bseagraves@garden-city.org

A 1987 view of the State Theater in Garden City here and here.

Hello BSeagraves, I have sent 4 photos to your email address of the State taken in 1950. My father, Jack Veeren, was assistant manager
there at the time. I'd also like to post them on this site, but was not able to. Ria Veeren

Some great photos from 1950s of the State Theater in Garden City on Ria Veeren's flickr site;
here, here, here and here.

Brian, thanks for the email and lets hope that the funding comes through in 2010.

Another photo of the State Theatre.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9448097@N02/3373477758/sizes/o/

1987 photo of the State Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c16%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=11&ProductID=27494

The State Theater opened in May of 1929.

Here is a 1983 photo.

This is another photo of the State Theater.

October 2009 photo of the State Theatre courtesy of Denver Pam.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35528040@N04/4020601833/sizes/l/