Name/Title
Print, PhotographicEntry/Object ID
2007.046.0583Scope and Content
Color Photograph
710 First Street Benicia CA
Parcel Number: 89-341-23
Historic Name: Majestic Theatre
Common Name: State Theater
The first and only silent film theater in Benicia was the circa 1917 Majestic built for W.L. Crooks, a banker and long-time mayor of Benicia. In about 1932 the theater was converted to "talking pictures" and the first film was Al Jolson in "The Jazz Singer". In the early 1940's Elias Jela purchased the theater; remodeled the facade and marquee and renamed it The State. James Lemos, a later long-time mayor, was the projectionist at the Majestic from 1929 to circa 1941. In 1956 Lemos purchased The State and operated it until it closed in 1970-71. This is the only theater in town.Collection
Benicia Architectural Study - 1989
