Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory (Site # 147)

Address:	219 W. Main
Ownership Name:	Elta Theatres, Inc.
Historic Name:	Judith Theatre
Common Name:	Judith Theatre
Date of Construction:	1914
Architect:	Link & Haire
Builder:	Piper Construction Company
Original Owner:	Bank of Fergus Co.
Original Use:	Theatre/Offices/Newstand
Present Use:	Theatre/Apartments/2 retail stores

Physical Description:

A three bay, two-story highly detailed terracotta façade with common bond brick infill. The façade is capped with a terracotta-raised pediment that occurs over the middle bay. The pediment has raised acroteria on each end that previously held some ornament or figure; the center of the pediment features a terracotta cartouche. The cornice is terracotta with exaggerated dentils (or beam ends) and the corona of the cornice contains four terracotta antefixa (or heads). There are regularly spaced terracotta panels set in a common bond brick parapet above the cornice that are capped by a terracotta coping. The frieze is brick with the exception of the terracotta building name in the center bay and a terracotta accent on each end. The architrave is terracotta and is comprised of three projecting bands without decoration other than four projecting cross-frets in the center band above each pilaster. Columns and pilasters are terracotta with decorative capitals although they are not complete enough to list as a classical order. The capitals have a projected key or joggle that recurs in the parapet coping. A wide terracotta spandrel occurs between first and second floor windows and infills between the pilasters of the respective bays. It is embellished with closely spaced rondelles. First floor display windows have been replaced with contemporary glazing and metal pan transoms. A contemporary theatre marquee and billboards obscures the pilasters of the lower center bay.

This theatre qualifies for register listing under Criteria C. The high style architectural influences and prolific use of terracotta add to the exuberance of this memorable façade.

Second Renaissance Revival, tending to Beaux Arts Revival.

Historical Significance:

The Judith Theatre is significant because it is associated with people and events important in local and State History. It stands as a visible sign of the prosperity and stability of Lewistown in 1914.

As the turn of the century, men worked to turn the trading post village that was Lewistown into a permanent "city of stone". The small town had become the commercial center for a growing agriculture and mining population. The "Jawbone" railroad gave Lewistown its first train service in 1903 and brought with it an increasing number of land seekers. The population rose from 1096 to 5892 in 1914. Many of the successful pioneer entrepreneurs reinvested their gains in the community, striving to improve the quality of life in the rapidly growing metropolis.

The Bank of Fergus County provided Lewistown with the Judith Theatre "as a place of amusement, not as a financial investment". John D. Waite, F. E. Wright, Austin W. Warr, T.T. Taylor and P. J. Osweiler were the bank officials at the time the elegant theatre was constructed next to their banking facility in the 200 block of Main Street.

The Judith Theatre was designed by J. G. Link and C. S. Haire, who maintained a local office in the Bank of Fergus Co., building. Moving pictures, vaudeville shows, political rallies, concerts and various benefit shows entertained, provoked and delighted Central Montana audiences.

The Cook-Reynolds Co. located their "Lands, Loans, and Insurance" business in the new theatre building, as did the Judith Basin Land Co., and the Box Elder Land Co. (Both with R. W. Reynolds as "State Agent").

Integrity

The building has maintained its integrity with the exception of first floor display windows, the theatre marquee, and theatre billboards. It is apparent that terracotta pilasters continue through the first floor remodelings, although they have been painted. The structure occupies is original site. The prolific use of terracotta is significant; this is also one of the highly styled architectural examples in the community. The elegance of the detailing is appropriate to the buildings use, particularly as compared to the bareness of contemporary movie houses.