State Theater
200 E. California Street,
Gainesville,
TX
76240
200 E. California Street,
Gainesville,
TX
76240
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favorited this theater
Related Websites
The State Theater (Official), Email the State Theater
Additional Info
Functions: Performing Arts
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: "Majestic" and "Greater Majestic"
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
940.665.2721
Manager:
940.665.2721
Nearby Theaters
The Majestic Theater(as originally named) may have been built on the site before 1919, but that’s the earliest provable date. It was Gainesville’s major playhouse until a fire destroyed the building in 1932.
The "Greater Majestic" was reconstructed later the same year, and it showed both movies and live proformances. Again it was gutted by fire, leaving only the exterior walls.
In 1938, as if a name change might bring better luck, they tried again with the "State" to show motion pictures. Its Art Deco style remains today. The facility is available to rent for all kinds of private and public functions. Full movie projection capability is planned in the near future as well as opportunities for organizations to present concerts, plays, festivals, ballet, and orchestra profomances. Current projects can be seen at the theater’s website.
Contributed by
David Jones
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
A 1990 photo of the State Theater in Gainesville showing “The Memphis Belle” and “Predator 2”.
I have a photo postcard of the Majestic, postmarked March 20, 1915. It says “this is our new Majestic Theater and the bunch…” and has a group of men in front of the theater. The feature presentation is “How Cissy Made Good,” with “Runaway Jane” and Charlie Chaplin’s “His New Job” advertised by large posters out front. This is interesting because Keystone never advertised Charlie’s name on their posters, and here, for his first Essanay film, he’s billed as “Mr. Charles Chaplin [in] ‘His New Job.”
Hello PGW. I would like to see your post card. Can you scan it and post it to Cinema Treasures?
Thanks
Don………
Sure, Don
Here it is:
View link
Priceless!! Thanks for sharing.
Don…
For sale:
http://tinyurl.com/6z66u8
A 1938 view of the State Theater when it was brand new and recent view .
From 2009, a night time view of the State Theater at closing time with all the neon glowing.
I worked as the projectionist at the State, Plaza & Chief theaters from 1953 through 1955. It’s good to see that they are remembered. Bill Maughan
During the 1960s, it was operated by Frontier Theatres Inc.