State Theater

314 South Phillips Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57101

(THe original Wurlitzer organ was removed to another theater from 1975-2015. It was returned to its original location and restored.)
Builder: Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., Op. 1248, 1926.
Manuals: 2
Ranks: 7
Action: Electro-pneumatic

Notes: The State Theatre was built in 1926 to showcase silent film and vaudeville performance. The majestic theatre dazzled the residents of Sioux Falls with its iconic marquee and sophisticated Beaux Arts-inspired design. This style of building became known nationally as the ‘movie palace’. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer of these palaces remain intact, leaving the few still standing quite valuable. The State Theatre served Sioux Falls for decades and was successful during this time. Hosting vaudeville’s biggest acts and even a world premiere, but most importantly the theatre offered a setting that helped create many childhood and adolescent memories. The State Theatre closed unceremoniously in 1991 due to the outward migration of residents and businesses to malls and suburbs and the decline of downtown. It slowly slid into disrepair. From 2010-2015 the entire theater has been lovingly restored.

Organ Historical Society as of 2020.

Editor's note: based on public domain pictures of the restoration, we believe it's possible the organ is still in the chambers, although we doubt it's playable.