Plans were drawn up and land was bought, but with the outbreak of World War II the construction was put on hold.

The theater -- built of fireproof brick and cinder block -- was finally completed in 1946 with a modern art deco design, featuring a single 1,500 seat auditorium.

The lobby and theater were given a modern-Asian theme, complete with a fountain and lamps from India, and the famous Dragon Murals, painted by Dutch artist Anton Mom.

The Shafer family, who had owned and operated the State Wayne for decades, sold the theater to National Amusements in 1986, who promptly closed it.

The mural panels are painted in shades of the creme brick color to create the illusion that they are ornamental carvings used in art-deco architecture.