State Theatre

212 S. Michigan Street,
South Bend, IN 46601

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc.

Architects: Henry L. Newhouse

Firms: Newhouse & Bernham

Styles: Beaux-Arts

Previous Names: Blackstone Theatre

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News About This Theater

Auditorium of the State Theatre

The Blackstone Theatre opened on January 29, 1921 with Dorothy Phillips in “Once to Every Woman”. It was equipped with a Kimball organ. On December 25, 1929 it was renamed State Theatre, but was listed as (Closed) in 1932. Still (Closed) in 1933 it was listed as being part of the Paramount Pictures Inc. circuit managed by their subsidiary John Balaban. They had reopened it by 1934. It was still open in 1956, but it had closed by 1957. This attractive, ornate and good-sized theatre was converted to a nightclub by levelling the orchestra level after its movie house days came to an end.

Closed again in 2005, the State Theatre was sold in July 2006 to a group which plans to renovate and reopen the theatre as a cultural center. Renovation began in October 2010, and it reopened in 2012, but sadly closed in 2016.

It was demolished in June 2023, only the facade would be retained.

Contributed by Juan-Miguel Gallegos

Recent comments (view all 44 comments)

jimvid
jimvid on November 28, 2013 at 6:30 am

nice profile on the latest efforts at the State Theater. http://www.southbendtribune.com/entertainment/inthebend/spotlight/article_87168eee-581b-11e3-8ca6-0019bb30f31a.html

studioone
studioone on December 12, 2015 at 9:47 pm

From 2012 a little self guided tour of the building.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.645833773755.2073590.197403080&type=1&l=461f9b0300

sam siklas
sam siklas on October 21, 2016 at 10:46 am

Unfortunately, the State Theater recently closed again, according to an article in The Preface (I.U.S.B. student newspaper). It may need a group of people with combined resources (or a willing financial donor interested in preserving this facility) to break it out of it’s closed-open-closed cycle it seems trapped in.

rivest266
rivest266 on January 18, 2019 at 3:38 pm

This reopened as State on December 25th, 1929. Grand opening ad posted.

Patsy
Patsy on June 1, 2019 at 5:37 pm

This theatre built in the 20s needs to be saved and restored.

Matt Lambros
Matt Lambros on July 18, 2019 at 8:13 am

I recently visited the State Theatre. Check out a short write up and some photographs at After the Final Curtain

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 5, 2021 at 6:54 pm

Facebook post with a 1933 photo during interior renovations. Credit Northern Indiana Historical Society.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10225159939055248&set=gm.3738466246247579

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on November 26, 2021 at 3:30 pm

A recent photo can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/37640374@N04/51706530301/in/feed-37608235-1637952842-1-72157719988212419

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