Beale Street Theatre
304 Beale Street,
Kingman,
AZ
86401
304 Beale Street,
Kingman,
AZ
86401
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 28 comments
PLEASE NOTE: Contrary to the note at the top of the page, Beale Street Theater (formerly the State Theater) is NOT OPEN. It is still in the process of fundraising for the renovation, which HAS begun. The roof has been fixed, the plans are in place for the interior, the junk and garbage has been cleared from the interior and the old seats have been removed. The proposed renovation will include a new stage which will reduce the seating to approximately 300 seats. The retail space next door (on the corner) will be converted to a pre-show lounge and dressing rooms. For glimpses of the theater before it closed, see the movie Roadhouse 66, where street scenes show glimpses of it both during the day and at night with the marquee lit.
Some information on the theater’s history, that I referenced in my previous comment. https://www.bealestreettheater.com/history/
This theater is actually in its second location (under that name). The original theater opened in 1939 and was on 4th street at Beale, which is now home to vintage shops and a tattoo shop. Due to outgrowing that location, the Rawlings then moved to it’s current location on Beale Street at 3rd, opening in the late 1940s, usually quoted as 1949 but some believe it could have opened as early as 1948.
No, don’t update to Beale Street Theater as it’s main name just yet, though referencing it as an alternative name would be nice. It is still known as the State Theater by many. It should also retain that older reference here as BST will be a completely new entity to many who won’t know the connection. There will be a new marquee of course (digital but in the style of an old theater marquee) and many updates. The renovation is slow but ongoing as funds are raised. We expect it to speed up over time as we near our fundraising goals, and it will again be an asset to the community. Right now, we have a grant challenge—if we can raise up to $100K on our own, a local business will match it. If you wish to contribute, you can go to https://www.bealestreettheater.com/donate/capital-campaign/
now called the beale street theater please update
The parking situation is not a huge worry for this theater. There is a lot of parking on adjacent streets, not far, very walkable. Since it will still be a relatively small venue, we don’t expect to have many problems of that nature, no more than there were when the State Theater first opened. There has recently been a beautiful new mural painted on the back of the building as part of a local “Art Alley” project. The theater should be reopening sometime in the next couple of years, as fundraising is a slow, but ongoing process.
The renovation is going on, slowly as funds must be raised as we go. There are theatrical productions being presented in other venues to raise funds for the project. The next one is “Peter Pan” in June at Kingman High School. An animation of the projected renovated theater can be seen at https://www.bealestreettheater.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Beale-Street-Theater-1.0.m4v?_=1
The State Theatre’s entrance was on Beale Street, so its address should be 304 Beale.
Still don’t know how a renovation is going to work considering the parking situation around the theatre, but more power to them as they try to restore this old house! Here’s a link to the story: http://kdminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=797&ArticleID=69898
I moved to Kingman in 1980 and view many movies in this theater. Around 1983 a new theater was constructed (not by the same owners) and this one was closed. We also had a drive-in movie theater to the north of the community. In reference to a recent article (4/26/2016) in the Kingman Daily Miner…“Effort under way to breathe new life into old theater”. The building has been sold and a local group wants (and will) to restore and turn this facility to a place for performing arts. I praise them for their endeavors to make this possible. This Saturday May 7th 5-8 at the Old Elks Lodge (4th & Oak St) Downtown Kingman there will be a fundraiser for renovating the theatre. Please come and support this great project!! It is wonderful to see this historical building come back to life as the Route 66 Beale Street Theater aka State Theater. For more information go to www.bealestreettheater.com
Harry L. Nace was a Paramount Theater operating partner in this territory!!
The April, 2009, issue of Mohave Memories says that the State Theatre was built by Harry Nace and opened in September, 1939. It was designed by Phoenix architects Alexander & Burton, and was erected by local contractors I.M. George and W.S. Ford.
The newsletter doesn’t say when Lang’s Theatre closed (it opened in 1917), but the impression I’ve gotten from various sources is that it closed around the time the State opened. Movies had been shown in Kingman as early as 1907, at the Elk’s Hall.
The October, 2012, issue of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts newsletter, Mohave Memories, indicates that the State Theatre at Kingman was in operation by 1940. In 1946, Ira Rawlings was the name of the manager.
Jan 6 1970 has “7th Voyage of Sinbad"and "GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD”.For years this theatre played Double features everyday.
Thanks Ken.
I think this is part of the theater building:
http://tinyurl.com/y86f2e9
still looking for investors or sponsers call 928-565-1659
the Movies is now closed here in Kingman,az. i am thinkin about a Drive-in theater. any ideas?
I’ve seen this theater and it would take a lot of money to claen it up and get it back in shape again. It would be nice to have it as a perfroming arts center as part of a downtown revival, but like downtown Kingman, it is off the beaten trail, has no parking and would have a very small lobby. It’s hard to beat the Movies of Kingman, since their top ticket is about $5. Who ended up with the winning bid?
Hello everyone
thank you for all the input i have receved. but i am still haveing owner probloms here, as of last monday. but i am still persuing this venture. i am looking for help still. i could use finance help. but i am not asking for a handout, for i know any bussiness is one that takes time, and a love for the time we love are buildings. i had seen this building Dec 23,2006. thought how nice it would be to bring her back as a theater and multi use place. sure its not in the best of shape, but i have looked beond the scars. i have found a wonderful ladie and guy in Il. that have been kind to my for a month now. Thank you Mark and Bev. you have great equipment, that will work great for my ( future ) lady here. i know its one day at a time here.
ki am thankful for what time i have had here to enjoy post’s and stories for everyones love for the arts. old buildings are dieing each day around us. and i have a feeling here for the (State Theater ) here in Kinman. is on her last days. i had placed a bid, with other biders also
i do not know what will be of the property if the other bider wins this war.
ok i have rambled on to much here
Thank you all again
Christopher A. Hammontree
Kingman,Arizona U.S.A.
Chris
View link
hey
been looking for a screen and walkway lighting. anyone have any links i can go to?
Thanks Chris
i set a my space site for this building
http://www.myspace.com/145319150
I spent the night in Kingman on my LA to Chicago Route 66 trip this summer. I wasn’t aware of the theater, though.
I now have some photo’s of this building, if any one wants them. or any more info baout the area
Chris H.