State Theatre
Bay City, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The State Theatre has been lighting up downtown Bay City for well over a century. Originally opening as the Bijou in 1908, it began life as a vaudeville and burlesque house before receiving the beautiful Art Deco makeover that gives it so much of its character today. Looking at the marquee, it's easy to see why it still stands out along Washington Avenue. 07-09
I've always enjoyed finding theaters like this on road trips. Every one seems to have a different personality, and the State has managed to reinvent itself more than once while still holding onto its historic charm. Instead of disappearing like so many neighborhood theaters, it found new life hosting movies, concerts, community events, and even the State Theatre Youth Orchestra.
It's places like this that make driving through small and mid-sized towns so rewarding. You never know when you'll turn a corner and find a theater that's been entertaining people for generations.
UPDATE: After overcoming financial challenges in recent years, the State Theatre continues to serve as Bay City's performing arts center, hosting concerts, films, comedy, and community events beneath its beautifully restored Art Deco marquee. 07-26
Temple Theatre
Saginaw, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Temple Theatre has been entertaining audiences in downtown Saginaw since the 1920s, and it's still one of Michigan's most impressive movie palaces. The grand marquee and beautifully restored architecture make it well worth a stop if you're passing through town. 07-09
Originally home to vaudeville acts and silent films, the Temple has continued to evolve over the years while keeping its historic character intact. Today it hosts concerts, symphony performances, films, and other community events, proving that a classic theater can still be the heart of downtown.
UPDATE: The Temple Theatre remains one of Michigan's premier historic performance venues, with its beautifully restored movie palace continuing to welcome audiences nearly a century after it first opened. The marquee is now a vertical type and the Temple letters were removed sometime before 2017. 07-26
Des Plaines Theatre
Des Plaines, IL Photo courtesy Tammy
Terwelp
The Des Plaines Theatre has one of those marquees that makes you stop for a second look. Standing in the middle of downtown, it's easy to imagine the crowds that once gathered here for a night at the movies. When this photo was taken, the theater's future was still uncertain, but thankfully the old marquee was still hanging on. 11-09
Built in 1925, the theater welcomed both movies and live performers over the years, including Gene Autry. Like many neighborhood theaters, it eventually struggled through changing times, but local preservation efforts helped keep another classic movie house from disappearing.
UPDATE: The Des Plaines Theatre has since been beautifully restored and now hosts concerts, comedy shows, and other live entertainment. Its classic marquee once again lights up downtown Des Plaines. 07-26
New American Theater (Gone)
Rockford, IL Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan
The New American Theater may not have the towering neon sign or lavish architecture of some of the grand old movie palaces, but it earned its own place in downtown Rockford's history. When this photo was taken, the building had recently reopened as the 118 Center after the original New American Theater company closed its doors, proving that the story wasn't over just yet. 08-10
UPDATE: Here's a photo of now closed and former New American Theatre. The building used to be home to an old five and dime store. The place is now called the Sullivan Center. 07-11
New American Theatre
Rockford, IL Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan
Places like this remind me that not every theater has to be a hundred-year-old movie palace to be worth saving. Every community has buildings that become part of its identity, and this was one of them. It's another reminder that preserving a theater isn't always about saving the past. Sometimes it's about making sure there's still a place for the next generation to enjoy live entertainment.
One of the best parts of road trips is discovering places like this. You pull into town expecting to grab a quick photo and end up finding a building that's managed to write several different chapters over the years.
UPDATE: Today the building serves as the RPL Nordlof Center, hosting live theater, films, concerts, and community events. While the New American Theater name is gone, the building continues to entertain audiences and remains an important part of downtown Rockford's arts community. 07-26
Prairie Cinema (Demolished)
Beloit, WI Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan
The Prairie Cinema wasn't an old movie palace, but it was the kind of neighborhood theater many of us remember growing up with. The marquee along South Prairie Avenue welcomed moviegoers for years before the theater closed and the building found a second life as a sporting goods store and batting cage. 08-10
Like so many multiplexes from the 1980s, the Prairie eventually couldn't keep up with newer theaters and changing movie habits. Even so, it's always interesting to come across places like this because they tell another chapter in the history of going to the movies. Not every memorable theater was built in the 1920s.
By the time this photo was taken, the building had already moved on from showing films, but the old marquee was still a reminder of what the place had originally been. It's those little clues that often make a roadside stop worthwhile.
UPDATE: The Prairie Cinema building no longer survives. After years of vacancy following its sporting goods store and batting cage days, the property was demolished in 2025 as part of a redevelopment effort, bringing another former neighborhood theater to an end. 07-26
State Theatre
Temple Theatre
Des Plaines Theatre
New American Theater (Gone)
New American Theatre
Prairie Cinema (Demolished)
