States Theatre Records

This collection consists of promotional photographs mailed to the States Theater in East Grand Forks, as well as the Orpheum Theater in Grand Forks, by travelling performers. The majority of the photographs are undated, while several of them are signed. From "A Meeting of the Reds: East Grand Forks, 1887-1987" “The States Theater and Ballroom, which later became East Grand Forks’ best known family night spot, was opened in 1921 by D.J. MacDonald. MacDonald, a Municipal Judge, ran the States Theater and Ballroom with his brother, Angus, maintained a dog and pony show, an extensive zoo on the banks of the Red River, and amused children and their elders at community picnics with a stable of performing horses.” (page 158) “The States Theater and Ballroom, a strictly no liquor establishment, had a rolling rink and theater, and featured such big name bands as those of Louis Armstrong, Artie Shaw, and Jimmy Dorsey. Respectable girls could visit the States unaccompanied without damaging their reputations. Until it was destroyed by fire in 1950, it was a major recreational resource for students at the University of North Dakota.” (page 163) From "A Brief History of Movie Theatres in Grand Forks" by Christoper Jacobs The Orpheum Theatre first opened in 1907 as a vaudeville theater under the name Empire Theatre. Following a 1918 fire, it reopened with the name Orpheum Theatre. By 1935, it was known as the Dakota Theatre and was torn down in 1971 to make way for a parking lot.