The State in Benton Harbor, Michigan

According to Cinema Treasures, the State opened in 1942 in Benton Harbor. 

A close-up of the marquee. 

Other buildings nearby are structures of another era, including an old Farmers and Merchants Bank.

The Michigan Theatre in South Haven, Michigan

Last month I went on a road trip with a photography group to southwestern Michigan. Our mission was to get some good shots of snow-covered lighthouses. We managed to get some good pics (see below), and I also took some pics of vintage theaters, too.

Below is the Michigan Theatre in downtown South Haven. It's still open, and showing Oscar-nominated films Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook. 

I love this marquee! I can only imagine what it looks like lit up at night.

50-cent popcorn and soda refills! Wow, that's a great deal!

According to Cinema Treasures, this theater may have been built around 1950, and it may have replaced another theater built earlier.  In this age of Netflix, Red-Box, Hulu and Streaming videos, it's nice to see it's still open!!

Downtown South Haven is like stepping back in time. You see mailboxes, department stores, ice-cream shops, and a row of a half-dozen newspaper boxes on the corner. 

A block down from the theater is a once-thriving department store, Hale's Department Store, which is closed, and out of business.

The owners have placed historic photos in the shop windows until the fate of the building is to be determined. 

This one was really cool. I love that basement staircase. Brings back memories of the old department store days.

Here's Hale's Department Store in it's WW2-era glory!

Not far from downtown, is the harbor and lighthouse, which is something of a tourist attraction. 

Lots of great photo opp's. 

The harbor. 

Look at that icy railing!!!

Look at those mini-icebergs!

Love these ice chunks!