States Theatre Records, 1920-1957

States Theatre Records

Overview

Scope and Contents

Administrative Information

Detailed Description

Box 1

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Collection Overview

Title: States Theatre Records, 1920-1957

Predominant Dates:undated

ID: OGLMC1740

Extent: 0.25 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 01/10/2025

Subjects: East Grand Forks, Minnesota, Grand Forks, Theater and Film

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

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.

Subject/Index Terms

East Grand Forks, Minnesota
Grand Forks
Theater and Film

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Patti Norman and Stephen Norman

Preferred Citation: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Processing Information: Processed by Curt Hanson in January 2025.

Box and Folder Listing

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Box 1

Folder 1: A-B

Item 1: "Alaska Trio"
Item 2: "Alaska Trio"
Item 3: "Alaska Trio"
Item 4: "Allegro: the Different Violinist"
Item 5: "Allegro: the Different Violinist"
Item 6: "Alliston & Trucco"
Item 7: Allman and Nevins: 1921: Signed
Item 8: "Alphonso & Co."
Item 9: Alvarey and Martell (?)
Item 10: Amaranth Sisters
Item 11: "Les Arrigonis"
Item 12: Rosalie Ashe, "Little Bundle"
Item 13: Arselma Sisters, "Tidbits of Vodvil": Signed photograph
Item 14: Baker and Baker: Signed photograph
Item 15: "Harry Bardell: the Incomparable Juggler": 1920: Signed
Item 16: "Benton and Wilton": Signed photograph
Item 17: "'Happy' Benway and 'Dick' Flournoy: Two Black Sheep"
Item 18: "Bijou Minstrel Misses"
Item 19: Bluebird Revue
Item 20: Bluebird Revue
Item 21: Boshay and Richmond: 1920: Signed
Item 22: Bottomley and Irving
Item 23: "Phil Brown and Thelma LaHart: Whirlwinds of Thrills"
Item 24: ? Brown and Sada Simmons : 1920: Signed
Item 25: Burglar's Union
Item 26: Burglar's Union

Folder 2: C-F

Item 1: "Axel Christensen": Signed photograph
Item 2: Ed and Marie Dale
Item 3: Jimmy Dunn: 1939: Signed
Item 4: Ed and Martin, Aerial Flying Acrobats: Signed photograph
Item 5: Edwards and Edwards
Item 6: Elsa and Walls: Signed photograph
Item 7: Fawnette: 1920: Signed
Item 8: The Florida Trio: 1957: Signed photograph
Item 9: Ah Ling Foo
Item 10: Foster and Foster: 1920: Signed

Folder 3: G-I

Item 1: "Gardner and Revere: Bits of Vaudeville"
Item 2: Green, Page, and Green
Item 3: Green, Page, and Green
Item 4: Gray Sisters
Item 5: Miss Happy Harrison's Thorobred's
Item 6: Hawthorne's Minstrels: 1920: Signed photograph
Item 7: Art Henry and Leah Moore, "At the Newsstand"
Item 8: "Ishikawa Bros"

Folder 4: J-L

Item 1: Jeanette
Item 2: Jeanette
Item 3: "Jim, Jean, and Joe"
Item 4: The Khorassan Four: 1926
Item 5: Kitty Kirk and Company, "It Could Happen": Signed photograph
Item 6: "Kirkwood and O'Neil"
Item 7: "Emil Knoff and Brother: Aces of Versatility"
Item 8: Stan Kramer and Company
Item 9: A.G. Lowande?: 1926: Signed photograph
Item 10: The Little Stranger
Item 11: The Little Stranger
Item 12: The Little Stranger
Item 13: "Mae Lodi": Signed photograph
Item 14: "Hugo Lutgens: Swede Billy Sunday"

Folder 5: M-P

Item 1: "Mack All Star Trio"
Item 2: "Jack and Claire McMahon: Variety with a Punch"
Item 3: "Jack and Claire McMahon: Variety with a Punch"
Item 4: "Jessie and Dollie Millar: Artistic Music, Dancing, and Song"
Item 5: Minevrin and Harris
Item 6: Billy Morris, Stan Francis, Teddy Curtis, and Harry DeWitt: 1934
Item 7: Morro and Reckless Duo
Item 8: "Murray Bros"
Item 9: "Murray Bros"
Item 10: "The Mystos": Signed photograph
Item 11: "Ned Nestor and Sweethearts"
Item 12: Novak and Benson
Item 13: Orpheum Musical Players: 1927: Signed photograph
Item 14: "Otto and Hammer: Road Show"
Item 15: "The Parkers"
Item 16: Peltier and Valerie: Sing and Talk. Just Fun"
Item 17: "Pesci Duo"
Item 18: "Polliano"
Item 19: "Price and Price: Sensational Aerialists"
Item 20: Pudim Brothers: Music and Song

Folder 6: Q-T

Item 1: Pete Reed: Signed photograph
Item 2: "Lon Rogers: Road Show": 1926
Item 3: "Rosie Rifle and Company": 1920: Signed photograph
Item 4: Bob Roberts: Washed Up. 1920: Signed photograph
Item 5: "Rudy Trio: Road Show"
Item 6: "Ryan and Moore: Fall Has Come"
Item 7: "Ann Schuller and George: Artists, Gymnasts, and Athletes"
Item 8: "Francis Scott and Company: Illusory Diversions"
Item 9: "Smith and Dutton"
Item 10: "Jack Symonds": Signed photograph
Item 11: Terry Taylor: 1921: Signed photograph

Folder 7: U-Z

Item 1: The Vandebergs
Item 2: The Vandebergs
Item 3: Walker and Brown
Item 4: Wallie Webber: 1920: Signed
Item 5: Wright and Gayman: 1920: Signed

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