State Theater
418 N. Main Street,
Garden City,
KS
67846
418 N. Main Street,
Garden City,
KS
67846
1 person
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The State Theatre opened on May 29, 1929. Commonwealth Theatres took over operation in 1936 and still controlled the house at least as late as 1967 when the theater underwent a three-month remodeling, reopening with “El Dorado” on July 20. In December, the State Theatre hosted the premier of the movie “In Cold Blood” which had been partly filmed locally in Finney County, where the murders depicted in the film had taken place.
The last owners of the house were Dickinson Theatres, who took over in 1997 and closed the doors in January, 1999. In November that year the building was given to the municipality with the proviso that it not be used to show first run movies. An attempt to renovate and reopen the State as a theater was abandoned in 2003 when adequate funding could not be acquired. A later attempt at a less ambitions renovation also fell short. Proposals for some sort of public reuse of the building have been made as recently as 2023, but have come to nothing. I’ve been unable to discover the current status of the building, other than that is apparently still owned by the City of Garden City.
In 1967, Commonwealth Theatres' reopened the State Theatre on July 19 following an extensive remodeling project that had taken three months to complete. The house sported new seating, carpeting and decor, as well as remodeled lobby, concession stand, and lounges, and a new front and marquee. Paramount’s feature “El Dorado” was the opening attraction.
Would anyone have any photo’s of The State from 1959? This was the theater that Nancy Clutter and Bob Rupp went to for a midnight spook movie the night before the Clutter murders.
Mid `60’s photo added courtesy of Theo Tersteeg. Not the clearest photo, but it does show the original marquee & blade sign on the left beyond the Sinclair station. And that the height of the original facade must have been reduced when the new facade was added.
The “Renovate The State” project – aiming to raise funds for a restoration of the State Theater – is the marquee message this summer. Anyone out there from the area who can give us a progress report? New photos in the pictures section.
Least favorite part of the job was taking the bucket of grease out the front door to Main Street to pour it down the sewer. People would drag Main Street in those days, including yours truly. People would yell at me and throw the occasional beer can.
Best part – watching random parts of the same movie 24 to 28 times in 14 days. My pay – minimum wage of $3.35/hour.
I worked at the State Theater in 1984. My boss was James Drake who was also the city manager. I spent more time at the Drive In theater. I’ll never forget the crusty old guy named Barney. Great Job! Paul R
Seen Here a photo of the State Theatre I took back in November of 2007. Enjoy..
Randy A Carlisle – Historical Photographer
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
A 1987 view of the State Theater in Garden City here and here.
Anyone who wishes to email me, feel free:
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.
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!
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.
The State Theatre is located at 418 N. Main Street and it seated 659 people.