HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 W Main 1984 MONTANA HISTORICAL AND
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY Site# A.
iw��Legal Description: Trac 's Lots Portion 6 7 8 Blk A �A
Address' 17 West Main
Ownership:name: E. & Donald Russell and Joyce R. Vovell
❑ pr"ate address: 2200 2 Street, SW, Rochester, 1-21 55901 Roll# 82 Frame# 9
❑ public
Historic Name: Ellen Theatre
— �- Common Name:
—� ❑ estimated
Date of Construction: 1919 documented
�----AArchitect:. ' Fred F. Willson
-'� � I
T , Builder, H. J. Hamill
Original Owner. Gallatin Theatre Company
I I l Original Use: Theatre
Present Use: Theatre
• ' Research Sources:
r I } ❑ abstract of title ❑ city directories
❑ plat records/maps CXsewerlwater permits
W Uj ❑ tax cards ❑ obituaries
0 —'— __"l�� _ El building permit El biographies
T, 13 Sanborn maps—Batas: 1927
Bibliography:
:y y L
Gallatin County's Heritage (1805-1976)
Bozeman Chronicle March 29, 1983
Willson Job List
Q e,+,se CK Sewer Permit 1 19 Gallatin Theatre Co. , in
Department of Sanitation files 15-19
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Describe present appearance of structure/site,then contrast and compare that with it's original appearance,
noting additions,alterations,and changes in materials.Discuss significant architectural features.
This two-story commercial structure is of the Classical Revival Style and has a
rectangular plan with an inset open lobby supported by six brick columns set in
pairs. The one-bay facade is symmetrical and consists of four glass entrances
and transomed, double-hung windows on the upper level , the five central ones
having arched keystones. The two outer windows have elaborate terra cotta detailing
and there is also elaborate terra cotta detailing on the cornice. The bearing wall
construction is finished in brick and white-glazed terra cotta. Granite blocks
form the base of the pilasters on the floor level and the roof is flat.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Justify how the persons,important events,and/or historical patterns associated with the structure/site
and surrounding area lend the property significance.
This property is significant because it is associated with a person important to
Bozeman history, Fred F. Willson. Son of General Lester S. Willson, an early
Bozeman pioneer, Willson was born in 1877 in Bozeman. He attended Montana
State College for two years and graduated from Columbia University in archi-
tecture in 1902. He studied two years abroad and upon his return, Willson
practiced with C. S. Haire in Helena and Butte. In his long practice from
1910-1956, he designed many public, commercial and residential buildings.
Investors in the Ellen Theater T. B. Story, Nelson Story, Jr. , H. R. Greene,
E. H. Kleinschmidt and Otto Schmidt put up $100,000 in order to build the
theatre. The group known as the Gallatin Theatre Company also owned and
operated another Theatre, the Ellen. The Ellen is named for T. B. and Nelson
Story, Jr. , 's mother, Ellen Trent Story, wife of Nelson Story, millionare
Bozeman pioneer.
4
This structure is potentially eligible for the National Register because
of its historical significance and because of Its architectural significance.
INTEGRITY: Assess the degree to which the structure/site,and surrounding area accurately convey the historical associations of the
property.
The historic integrity of this property has been retained due to the survival
of original design and materials and continuity of use, setting and location.
INFORMATION VALUE: Explain how the extant structure/site may demonstrate or yield information about its historic use or construc-
tion.
None.
FORM PREPARED BY: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Name R. I', (CNIALD ARCHITECTS P.C. Acreage:
Address: USGS Quad:
Date: N�isSC)JLA- MONTANA 59807 UTM's:
ti
cur T 1+
11� max.