State Theater

200 E. California Street,
Gainesville, TX 76240

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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

State TheaterĀ©...Gainesville Texas

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

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

Mildew
Mildew on October 10, 2007 at 8:05 am

The Historic State, 200 East California had the biggest celebration
ever, during its grand opening October, 27, 1938.
The A. V. Wade Family almost built the structure from ground up.
The State has survived the ravages of time, so far.
Hopefully, it can continue to keep its place in minds of its people.
The State originally opened as Majestic, by joe Hunnicut January 11,
1915
This was acually the third Majestic, the first was opened in 1905 by
the Harrison brothers on the east side of the square, on its North
End at California.
The Harrison’s also operated a second theate Favorite, next door to
their Majestic, but both were gone within two years.
The second Majestic for the city was opened in October, 1907 at 113 East California, by Hoyt & Ruby Kirkpatrick, who also was opened the
Happy Hour theater at 114 north Dixon, which lasted only six months.
The Kirkpaticks headed out for Fort Smith, Arkansas in March, 1908,
selling out to Henry Bertram.
In 1912, Joe Poole & W. L. Greenhill who was also running movies at
the old Opera House on South Rusk joined Bertram for the next 3 years
Joe Hunnicut took over operations after Christmas 1914, promply shut
down the doors, remodeled the site at 300 east California, reopened
the Majestic with an entire city celebration.
A. V. Wade came to town in 1924, starting years of movie operations
The Majestic was completely refurbished, with a magnificent grand
opening,September, 8, 1932.
The State took over the historic location, October, 27, 1938.
The Wades moved on in 1951, selling out to Frontier theaters from
Dallas, who operated the showplace 18 years.
Commonwealth Theaters, Kansas City, bought the State in 1969, and
kept it rolling until 1986, when they sold out to the Bartons.
Since that time, the theater has had its ups, and downs, but it is
nice to drive through Gainsville, remembering past glory when the
State was king. billy holcomb, denison, texas

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on March 2, 2008 at 10:52 am

A 1990 photo of the State Theater in Gainesville showing “The Memphis Belle” and “Predator 2”.

PGW
PGW on May 16, 2008 at 1:41 pm

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.”

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on May 16, 2008 at 1:52 pm

Hello PGW. I would like to see your post card. Can you scan it and post it to Cinema Treasures?

Thanks

Don………

PGW
PGW on May 16, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Sure, Don
Here it is:

View link

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on May 17, 2008 at 7:57 am

Priceless!! Thanks for sharing.

Don…

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on July 5, 2009 at 6:32 pm

A 1938 view of the State Theater when it was brand new and recent view .

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on October 14, 2009 at 3:07 pm

From 2009, a night time view of the State Theater at closing time with all the neon glowing.

Billy_Maughan
Billy_Maughan on April 2, 2017 at 9:42 am

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

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