The Lowell Opera House was built in 1887. Located in an area of Lowell called back Central street, its address was 347 Central Street and 12 Gorham Street, straddling the fork between the two. According to Cahn's guide, in 1901, Fay Bros. & Hosford were the managers and business managers of the Opera House which sat 1500. Prices ranged from 25 cents to $1. The stage with Proscenium arch was 34' wide, 34 ' high and a 45' deep. Emil Borjes lead the orchestra.
By 1913 it was licensed to and operated by Julius Cahn himself. Moving Picture World magazine stated that "Feature pictures, illustrated songs and no vaudeville is the policy of Julius Cahn's Opera House, Lowell, Mass."
In 1914 it was licensed to the Great Eastern Amusement Company, John L. Shea Pres., from 1915 to 1918 Charles H. Emerson's Sites Emerson Company, and in 1919 and 1920 Buckley & Shaake.
It became the Gates Theater in 1934 and then finally the State Theater in 1943. It operated until 1958 and razed, a victim of urban renewal. Retro styled apartments occupy much of the site today.