State Theatre
523 Main Street,
Point Pleasant,
WV
25550
523 Main Street,
Point Pleasant,
WV
25550
1 person
favorited this theater
The Art Moderne-style State Theatre opened on Main Street between 5th Street and 6th Street in 1942. The theatre could seat 700. The State Theatre remained in operation until 1980, and then sat vacant until 1993 when it was restored. It was reopened for movies in early-1994, including midnight showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”. Though the State Theatre stopped showing movies again in 2003, it was still used for various live events. It had closed again by 2017.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
The exterior of the State in Point Pleasant was seen several times in the background during an hour-long sequence of “Sci-Fi Investigates” when the investigative team visited Point Pleasant to explore the legend of the “Mothman”. (Sci-Fi Channel). The filming took place during the summer and the theatre looked very much as in Lost Memory’s photo above.
I got the opportunity to look at this grand theater in 1987 (my father was considering purchasing it) and was absolutely amazed at how beautiful it was. Despite almost two decades of dust and neglect, it was still absolutely amazing – balcony, stage, crying room for babies. I unfortunately cannot describe how splendid it was. Even the projectors still worked! There is nothing like entering an old theater that still has everything as it was the day it closed – movie posters, film clips on the floor, and even old popcorn bags and paper cups.
The State is currently for sale. I didn’t see the tiny sign until just now as I’m processing the photos from my June 21st visit to Point Pleasant.
Here is a photo of the marquee:
http://tinyurl.com/c48tzf
Here is an item from the Charleston Daily Mail dated 2/11/36, which conflicts with the 1942 opening date in the introduction.
POINT PLEASANT, Feb. 11.â€"Announcement has been made of the sale of State theater, to Alpine Theater company, owner of a chain of theaters in Ohio and West Virginia. The new concern will take over the theater Wednesday. New sound equipment will be installed. The deal involved the property, the fixtures and the equipment. Ross Filson, who sold the theater, has retained an option on the apartment above the theater for a year.
The first State Theatre might have been renamed the Alpine Theatre after being taken over by the Alpine Circuit in 1936. The Alpine Theatre at Point Pleasant was mentioned in the February 17, 1937, issue of The Film Daily.
Hello – Does anyone have any current contact information for who owns the theater now? I would be very interested in potentially renting the facility for repertory film screenings. If you could provide any information, it would be greatly appreciated.
This theater should be marked CLOSED as it is for sale and not currently showing any films.
The marquee now says SOLD though I don’t know what the plans for the building are.