At the southern end of Burdick we find Kalamazoo's last remaining movie palace, the State Theater. With 1569 seats the State was the largest and grandest theater downtown.

Chicago theater architect
John Eberson had developed the 'atmospheric' style and used it for the State. The auditorium resembles a Spanish courtyard full of statues and false facades. The ceiling is painted dark blue and is enhanced with a cloud machine and glittering stars. Thus the audience is made to feel that they are in an exotic garden setting, not in downtown Kalamazoo.

Opened on July 14, 1927 to run films and vaudville, the State was operated by the Butterfield Theaters organization. Sold in 1982, it now features a steady run of rock concerts.