State Theatre

209 W. Dixie Avenue,
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Unfavorite 6 people favorited this theater

Showing 11 comments

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on December 17, 2025 at 7:28 am

Opened with Dorothy Lamour in “The Fleet’s In” (unknown if extras added) featuring installations of Western Electric sound and Wenzel Ace projection.

Information about the State Theatre as of 1942 goes as follows: The entire theater was artistically decorated by Rambuch Art Company of New York, featuring the original color schemes of green and burgundy as well as the building finishing in structural glass, brick and stone trim. Two large mural flanks were located on each side of the stage and a draped stencil frames from the ceiling. The entire theater was draped in terrazzo carpeting with the exception of the lobby, as well as indirect lighting being used throughout the auditorium. The State Theatre originally housed 1,000 two-tone cushioned seats when it first opened as of 1942 (now housing 700 seats), and also contains a balcony for colored audiences. The original stage is draped in green velour with a silver automatic curtain.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on March 25, 2025 at 9:49 pm

The State Theatre closed as a first-run theater on September 2, 1982 with “E.T.-The Extra Terrestrial” when the nearby Elizabethtown Cinema was tripled and became the Cinema 3 the following day.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 15, 2017 at 7:43 pm

Circa 1953 photo added courtesy of Larry Kleebauer Sr.‎

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on July 18, 2016 at 10:29 am

Functions should also include: Movies (classic)

Chris1982
Chris1982 on June 10, 2015 at 10:41 pm

Opened on June 11, 1942.

Scott
Scott on August 12, 2010 at 4:39 pm

It is a nice-looking theatre. Though it appears that the underside of the marquee is missing.

William
William on December 5, 2003 at 10:38 am

When the State Theatre was a movie theatre it seated 954 people.

Cwillis
Cwillis on March 31, 2003 at 10:31 pm

The Historic State Theater in E-town Kentucky is having it’s grand re-opening March 28 thru April 4th. The lights came back on Mar 28th after 20 years of darkness.

The next phase will be to restore the Historic Theater to its original beauty. The walls and murals will be brought back as they were in 1942 and the Theater will also be used for productions as well as luncheons, dinners, receptions, industrial meetings, weddings, schools, churches and clubs. When complete it will seat up to 700 people and be an asset to the community.