Babcock Theater Building, 2808-2812 2nd Avenue North, 1907

A.L. Babcock purchased this site as undeveloped property in 1889 before the downtown business district had spread this far to the north. By 1889, a couple of homes were erected on the south portion of the block but this north half remained open. This building succeeds the 800-seat Billings Opera House (also built by Babcock) which had its first performance in 1882, but was burned down at 2517 Montana in 1906. Babcock built the new Theater Building on this site, replacing what had been a tennis court. In 1935 the theater interior was completely gutted by fire but was immediately rebuilt by a well-known theater designer based in California during the 1920s and 1930s. The original building exterior was brick accentuated with columns with floral carving. All of the original exterior has since been covered with blue metal paneling.

Historic Name:
Babcock Theatre Building
Current Name:
Babcock Building

Builder:

Original Use:
Theater, stores
Current Use:
Stores, Theater vacant

Physical Description:
The Babcock Theater Building is a massive rectangular commercial building which houses storefront shops along the streetscape, and a large theater on the buildings' interior. Built at the intersection of two busy streets, the building fronts onto South Broadway to the east, and 2nd Avenue North to the north. Storefronts line these avenues, 8 bays are strung along each of these elevations.

On the north, the theater entrance occupies two of the bays. It is marked by a large, illuminated, angled marquee that projects to cover the recessed entry and ticket booth. The window displays are whimsically finished like giant, silver gilded deco picture frames, and the booth is trimmed to match. A full window wall looks into the lobby, where gold columns and heavenly ceiling murals continue the enchanted movieland theme. A second entrance to the theater still remains, through an entry from S Broadway, one could walk through a corridor into the theater behind the Broadway-facing stores.

The building exterior was clad with brick. Square columns with floral carving supported the corner and separated the storefronts. Each had a low apron and a multi-pane transom band. Above this, the upper story featured brick horizontal banding interspersed with double-hung windows. All of this original fabric is now covered by incompatible metal paneling; storefronts are now framed in brass with claddings ranging from black marble to stucco.

Upstairs there are lodgings, accessed at the northwest corner by a grand lobby and stairway with crystal chandelier and elevator. On the west, the building opens onto an alley. Much of this wall is parged with concrete over brick. A few segmental arched brick openings are still visible.

Historical Associations:
AL Babcock purchased lots 7-12 as undeveloped property in 1889, before the downtown business district had spread this far to the north. By 1889, a couple of homes were erected on the south portion of the block, but this north half remained open. Babcock founded the Billings Opera House at 2517 Montana, and after it burned in September 1906, the community held meetings to discuss the need to rebuild. The Montana Avenue location was in decline and businessmen encouraged a move to a more northern location. Babcock owned this property near his home on North Second with HW Rowley; there was a tennis court on the lots. Babcock bought out Rowley's interest and built the new Babcock Theater Building in 1907. With a theater designed by prominent Seattle architect Edwin W. Houghton, it opened Dec 23, 1907.

In February 1935, the theater interior was completely gutted by fire, thought to be the result of a carelessly dropped match. It was immediately rebuilt, and on August 7 reopened with a new interior created by AB Heinsberger. Heinsberger was a well-known theater designer based in California during the 1920s and 1930s.

AL Babcock was one of Billings' leading businessmen. He arrived in town during its founding year, and established a hardware company with a partner, Babcock and Miles. In 1892, he bought out the partner, and in 1902, Babcock Hardware sold to Billings Hardware. In 1895, he founded the Yellowstone Valley Flouring Mill, and it became a keystone in Billings' agricultural economy. Later on he was founder of the Yellowstone National Bank, and an organizer of the Billings Telephone Company.

Historical and Architectural Significance:
The Babcock Theater is an important piece of Billings history, representing the city's early entertainment industry. Dating back to the first opera performance in town in 1882, the community had a long history of stage performance. This shifted to embrace motion pictures through the early 20th century. Hollywood came to dominate with the advent of talking pictures by the 1930s, and the interior of the Babcock dates to that period, in all its lavish glory.

Associations with prominent Billings citizen AL Babcock are also of importance. Babcock was a pioneer businessman and and investor in Billings' future. He helped found and promote a number of enterprises that were pivotal in the local economy. This building today is one of the most visible marks he left on the downtown landscape.

Finally, although the building has lost integrity on the exterior, the historic 1930s era entrance on Second and the interior remain. Although at one time there were a number of historic theaters in downtown Billings, this interior is the best-preserved example of period design. The theater is an important representation of motion picture facilities and the movie industry during the early 20th century.

Photograph Courtesy of Paul Whiting